Angry residents seek resolution

Angry residents seek resolution

27 June 2012 - by BY DAVID TELFORD

RESIDENTS at a Downpatrick housing estate have urged Northern Ireland Water to fix a noxious odour problem which is blighting their lives.

People who live at the Ardmeen Green estate have been plagued with a foul-smelling odour for the past few years and last week met a senior NI Water official to make it clear they have had enough.

The smell is linked to a mains sewer pipe which pumps sewage from nearby Ballynagross to a treatment plant at the Belfast Road.

A treatment plant at Ballynagross was replaced with a pumping station several years ago, but the NI Water work has coincided with the sickening odour coming up through drains at Ardmeen Green.

Residents said last week the odour finds its way into their homes at times and highlighted problems with manhole covers being blown off by the force of sewage when it mixes with rain water.

During last week’s meeting, which was organised by councillor Colin McGrath who lives at Ardmeen Green, residents described the foul smell which engulfs their homes is an “embarrassment” and fear it’s impacting on property values. They explained the smell arrives without warning, forcing them to close windows and doors and remove washing hanging on lines to dry.

Councillor McGrath said the problems experienced by people who live at Ardmeen Green need to be raised with NI Water’s senior management.

“The sickening odour is impacting on people’s quality of life and it is also a health and safety issue.

“This problem arose several years ago and has yet to be addressed,” he declared.

“There needs to be an action plan devised to tackle the problem and a timeframe agreed for whatever work is necessary to be carried out.”

Councillor McGrath said residents have a sense that when they complain, they are placated by NI Water personnel and nothing happens.

He added: “We all want something on paper spelling out exactly what NI Water plans to do to sort this mess out. People are extremely frustrated at the lack of urgency to address this problem.

“The stench of sewage in people’s homes is unbearable at times and the smell is even finding its way into people’s cars parked near storm drains.”

Mr. Oliver Walsh said during heavy downpours, a manhole cover at the Ballyhornan Road which runs alongside the Ardmeen Green estate lifts off, with sewage spilling onto the road.

“We contacted NI Water when this happened and it was the PSNI who arrived to divert traffic away from the manhole. Raw sewage has also bubbled up through manholes in people’s back gardens and this entire situation is intolerable,” he declared.

Mr. Walsh’s daughter Paula described the smell problem as an “embarrassment” and said residents are tired of apologising on behalf of NI Water when they arrive at their homes. She said the smell can “occur at any time” and is impacting on people’s social lives.

Mr. Kieran Mageean said a manhole cover is also lifting at Edward Street beside a children’s playground.