Sewage spills prompt call for urgent system upgrade

Sewage spills prompt call for urgent system upgrade

1 January 2019

FOUR major sewage spills within a 10-day period in Saintfield have prompted calls for Northern Ireland Water to fast track work to upgrade the town’s sewerage system.

The incidents — which resulted in raw sewage spewing out along part of the Old Grand Jury Road and into neighbouring gardens — occurred in the days leading up to Christmas.

NI Water has imposed a ban on all new development as a result of previous sewage spills at this part of the town and mounting concern that Saintfield’s sewage treatment plant is nearing the end of its treatment capacity.

No new connections to the town’s sewer system are being permitted with work due to start on a drainage study ordered to determine the extent of work that is required to address capacity issues and so-called out of sewer flooding.

While NI Water insists 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 sewerage infrastructure to carter for current and future demand.

It was confirmed recently that work on the drainage study will not be completed until December 2019, with no guarantee that the capital funding required to implement its recommendations will be immediately available.

Fears are mounting that Saintfield’s development ban, imposed in August, could potentially be in place for two years. However, one local politician says that isn’t good enough and everything possible must be done to complete the drainage area study sooner and earmark funds to carry out the suggested upgrades.

“Given recent events, the need to address problems with Saintfield’s sewerage system are more acute than ever,” declared Rowallane councillor, Billy Walker. “This issue must be accorded the highest priority given that we are talking about a health hazzard.

“Old Grand Jury Road residents in particular should not have to look anxiously to the heavens when dark clouds roll in, fearing a deluge could result in more raw sewage flowing into their gardens. There have also been recent reports of raw sewage back flowing into people’s toilets which is disgraceful in this day and age.”

Cllr Walker said that given the close proximity of a primary school to the area where the raw sewage seeps out, NI Water needed to redouble its efforts to address the problems in Saintfield.

“The organisation clearly recognises there is a major issue and is taking steps to address it. While welcome, I am concerned at the timescales involved and would like to see the issue expedited much sooner.

“I am acutely aware that the problems residents in Saintfield are faced with are mirrored in other parts of the Province, but I would suggest the situation in these towns and village are not as acute.”

Cllr Walker said that while he was pleased NI Water was working to ensure everything was in place to develop a solution to the problems in the town, he hoped the work can be prioritised.

He added: “This is an extremely serious issue and one that must be urgently addressed. Four sewage spills within a 10-day period is unacceptable in anyone’s book and the needs of Saintfield residents must be addressed.

“NI Water must approach the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Infrastructure to secure the money it requires to upgrade Saintfield’s sewerage system as quickly as possible. The frequency of sewage spills cannot be allowed to continue and work on the drainage study must be completed as soon as possible.”

During a meeting with politicians a number of weeks ago, NI Water officials confirmed that the Saintfield drainage study will not be completed until next December and will look at the causes of the current issues in the town and outline solutions.

Officials insist that they need to get the right analysis to come up with solutions, confirming it will take time to do the required work.

They also confirmed that there is restricted toilet use for some residents in Saintfield during heavy rainfall.