Crossgar river is polluted again

Crossgar river is polluted again

7 March 2012 - by DAVID TELFORD

A LOCAL environmentalist has called for an investigation to be launched to find the source of fluid which he fears is contaminating the Glasswater River in Crossgar.

Mr. John Peacock has alerted the Rivers Agency to the presence of what suspects may be diesel or paraffin leaking into the river close to the Ballynahinch Road junction in the village.

The chairman of Lecale Conservation believes the fluid may be oozing from an old underground tank nearby which was connected with a motor repair business in Killyleagh Street over 50 years ago.

Mr. Peacock said it is vital the source of the leaking fluid is found to prevent further contamination of what he described as a “particularly important waterway” which links up with the Quoile River.

“This is an important salmonid river which has a lot of trout in it. While the waterway has to contend with unavoidable surface water draining into it, I am concerned about the grey-coloured material which is leaking from an ageing concrete pipe,” he continued.

“This liquid may be coming from an old underground tank buried in the area over 50 years ago. At that time, these tanks would have simply been covered over and not subjected to rigorous legislation which exists today.”

Mr. Peacock said because the source of the fluid and exactly what is leaking into the river isn’t known, there’s a need for an investigation to be launched to provide answers.

He continued: “One of the things which concerns me most is that whatever material is flowing into the river is leaving a film of oil on the surface.

“The film of oil provides incontrovertible evidence that an alien substance is getting into the river and we need to find out what it is. The Glasswater Rover is part of the Quoile in Downpatrick which is supposed to have all sorts of international protections, so we need to get to the bottom of this issue.”

Mr. Peacock said the Crossgar river has been inspected by its officials for many years and is included in a list of local waterways in line for major new maintenance work over the next 12 months.

The work will involve removing silt, weeds, obstructions, general maintenance, the repair of flood defences, watercourse structures and measures to protect or rehabilitate fish stocks.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Environment confirmed the Environment Agency is aware of what she described as a “minor intermittent, but persistent oil spillage” being discharged into the Glasswater River at Everogues Bridge in Crossgar.

She added: “The Environment Agency has investigated every reported incident of the oil seeping into the river and investigations are ongoing.”