Raw sewage spillage returns in Saintfield

Raw sewage spillage returns in Saintfield

20 March 2019

RAW sewage has again spewed from a manhole at Saintfield’s Old Grand Jury Road.

The latest incident occurred last Saturday morning following heavy overnight rain which the drainage system at this part of the town could not cope with.

There have been a number of frequent spillages at this particular location but the alarming regularity with which they are now happening is becoming a major cause for concern.

Only last week, Northern Ireland Water was urged to redouble its efforts to address significant flooding problems in Saintfield, in particular at the Old Grand Jury Road where storm water and raw sewage are mixing.

There have now been two sewage spills at this part of the town in consecutive weeks, with claims that a significant flooding problem at the Grange Avenue area in Saintfield could be exacerbating the situation at Old Grand Jury Road.

Last year, NI Water confirmed that it was banning all new development in the town and ordered a drainage study to determine the extent of work that is required to address capacity issues and so-called out of sewer flooding.

With work on the study already underway, there have been calls for it to include Grange Avenue where residents claim floodwater is placing children’s lives at risk.

While NI Water insist Saintfield’s ageing treatment plant continues to meet strict environmental discharge standards, the town is one of a number across the Province which requires significant investment to upgrade the existing infrastructure to carter for current and future demand. 

In the wake of last weekend’s spill, Rowallane councillors Robert Burgess and Billy Walker said NI Water needed to redouble its efforts to complete work on the drainage study much earlier than planned. Both men have confirmed they are seeking a site meeting with engineers to discuss the issue.

It has been suggested that work on the drainage plan will take until the end of the year to complete, with NI Water confirming that there are no guarantees money to implement its various proposals will be available.

Cllr Burgess said NI Water recognised there was a significant problem to address and suggested that consideration be given to carrying out interim work at the Old Grand Jury Road to separate storm water and raw sewage.

“It beggars belief that this situation is not being addressed immediately,” the councillor declared. “Every time there is heavy rain we have a spillage of raw sewage at the Old Grand Jury Road and this situation cannot continue.

“The ongoing drainage study is welcome and will come up with solutions going forward. But action is needed now and surely something can be done in the interim. Every time there is heavy rain a sewage spill at this part of Saintfield is guaranteed. That is no way for residents at this part of the town to live,” he added.

Cllr Walker said the current building ban — imposed last August — could potentially be in place for two years, with no end in sight to the misery Old Grand Jury Road residents have to contend with when raw sewage flows from a manhole in the middle of a busy road and built-up area.

“The situation at this part of Saintfield in intolerable and I will be raising this latest sewage spill with NI Water as a matter of urgency,” he said.

“This situation would not be tolerated in any other part of the province and it needs to be dealt with. The drainage study is welcome, as is NI Water’s commitment to overhaul Saintfield’s sewerage infrastructure. A key first step must focus on the Old Grand Jury Road and an examination of interim measures.”

Cllr Walker said last weekend’s sewage spill was reported to NI Water and he appealed to its engineers to complete work on the drainage study as soon as possible.

He added: “The sewage spills are not going to go away, if anything, the situation will get worse. That is why some form of interim work must be given serious consideration. There have been a number of spills since Last December and this cannot go on.”