NIW too slow in solving problem

NIW too slow in solving problem

26 September 2012

CONCERN has been expressed that raw sewage continues to be pumped into the Irish Sea four months after Northern Ireland Water was ordered to address the issue.

Last May, the Environment Agency responded to increasing community and political concern by ordering NI Water to stop the practice, giving it until the end of March next year to put things right.

But South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has revealed this week that assurances screens would be erected as an interim to ensure only wastewater would be pumped into the sea at Ballyhornan have not yet been delivered by NI Water.

She has been informed by Stormont Environment Minister Alex Attwood that NI Water is still failing to comply with rigorous discharge standards with raw sewage continuing to pour into the sea.

Homes at the former Ministry of Defence base are connected to a sewerage system which pumps waste water directly into the sea off the local coastline in contravention of strict discharge standards.

One of the major stumbling blocks in addressing the issue over the years has been NI Water’s reluctance to adopt sewers at the MoD base. But the Environment Agency has demanded action and wants the practice of pumping untreated sewage into the sea stopped.

Miss Ritchie said there is an urgent need for the issue to be addressed. She said it’s her understanding that NI Water has secured funding to carry out what she described as “necessary remedial works,” including the construction of a pumping station to transfer sewage from Ballyhornan to Ardglass in the future.

“The proposed works will screen all flows that are currently discharged through the outfall pipe at Ballyhornan. Minister Attwood has also confirmed that his officials will continue to carry out site inspections at Ballyhornan, as well as requesting regular updates from NI Water to monitor the upgrade works to ensure the matter is resolved. I will also continue with my representations on this important issue.”

A spokeswoman for NI Water said the organisation is currently progressing plans to improve the sewerage system at Ballyhornan by undertaking some network alterations, providing fine screening facilities and remedial work to the sewer outfall.

She explained that in the longer term, NI Water hopes to intercept the screened flows and pump sewage from Ballyhornan to an upgraded treatment works in Ardglass.

“Progress on the upgrade work at Ballyhornan has not been completed as quickly as NI Water would have wished owing to difficulties encountered with land acquisition,” she continued.

The spokeswoman said negotiations to acquire land started in 2009, suggesting this is testament to NI Water’s commitment to bring the work forward. She said the delay in progressing the issue means NI Water can’t move the process any quicker than it is already moving.

She added: “NI Water has received an enforcement notice from the Environment Agency regarding elements of the sewerage network at Ballyhornan. However, until the outstanding lands issues are resolved NI Water can only continue to maintain the existing public system.”