Storm sewage deluge

Storm sewage deluge

19 February 2020

BUSINESS owners in Ballynahinch have appealed for an end to what they have described as a “flooding nightmare” at the busy Lisburn Street junction with Main Street in the town.

Persistent heavy rain swept in by Storm Dennis last Saturday left the busy Ballynahinch junction under water with traders forced to take precautions to protect their property.

Storm water and raw sewage flow into a combined drain which struggles to cope when there is heavy rain, with speculation locally that a section of underground piping is blocked.

Matt Comiskey, of Jordy’s Bar, said sewage was evident during last Saturday’s deluge and revealed that while the issue has been raised with NI Water on a number of occasions, no affirmative action has been taken.

He has been informed that work to address the issue will result in a section of Lisburn Street having to be dug up. He said it is important this happens as soon as possible.

“I am fed up ringing NI Water about this issue,” the businessman declared.

“I have been given countless reference numbers by officials but no one is doing anything about this. The business community at this part of Ballynahinch should not have to put out sand bags every time there is heavy rain.”

Mr Comiskey described last Saturday’s flooding incident as “serious” and revealed that he had to close a metal shutter at the entrance to the bar to prevent a mix of rain water and sewage from entering the premises.

“This problem needs to be sorted as the issue impacts on a number of businesses. Six months ago the local council gave us sand bags and while a drainage firm has examined the drains on several occasions, its staff have told us that there is nothing that they can do,” he said.

Mr Comiskey said there is speculation locally that debris from work on Ballynahinch’s public realm scheme which was completed several years ago may be causing blockage.

He also revealed that the volume of water being forced up through drains is powerful enough to lift heavy metal covers which could damage passing cars.

Mr Comiskey added: “When the drain overflows you can see raw sewage mixed with storm water. Every time there is heavy rain we have to be on our guard. We have been flooded in the past and do not want this to happen again.”

Rowallane councillor Billy Walker is seeking an urgent meeting with NI Water engineers to discuss the flooding issue.

He said there is increasing concern about the problem at the Main Street junction with Lisburn Street where there is a combined sewer which deals with rain water and raw sewage.

“Business owners should not be forced to take measures to protect their properties with sand bags when there is heavy rain. While the storm drains at this part of Ballynahinch have been cleared with powerful water jets, the problem continues to persist.

“We cannot continue to allow raw sewage to spew out of storm drains next to businesses. The current situation is unacceptable and must be addressed.”

The Rowallane politician has also asked that work to resolve the combined sewer issue must be carried out in the evening to minimise the disruption that it will inevitably have on town centre traffic.

Cllr Walker added: “Given the fact that raw sewage is involved, this issue must be dealt with immediately. Every time there is heavy rain, business owners are running for sand bags in order to protect their properties. They should not have to live like this.”

A spokeswoman for NI Water said that its wastewater team has confirmed that the combined sewer is operating “normally” and that the issue at Lisburn Street in Ballynahinch is a matter for the Department for Infrastructure.