Hass Road Sewage Pumping Station Pollution Incident

15 September 2011 9:00

NI Water has pleaded guilty of causing a pollution incident from Hass Road Sewage Pumping Station (SPS) on 26th January 2010. The incident was linked to a faulty pump, which was repaired as quickly as possible.

A spokesperson for NI Water explained, "NI Water acted quickly by arranging for a tanker to empty the overflow and for the faulty pump to be repaired.

"Ongoing investigations have uncovered the cause of the blockage to be inappropriate items. We would appeal for help from the public to reduce these occurrences by not placing inappropriate items in the toilet, down a drain or into the sewers.

"Inappropriate items include cotton buds, nappies, sanitary items and trade effluent which regularly make their way through the sewerage system and cause serious blockages, leading to the operation of emergency overflows. This can cause harm to property, wildlife and the environment.

NI Water was fined £1000 and co-operated fully with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency throughout the process.

NI Water views the protection of the environment as a major priority and invests significant resources and measures to safeguard it. NI Water is the only public body in Northern Ireland to have earned International ISO 14001 status, an international standardisation awarded on the basis of a company’s environmental management system.

NI Water has invested nearly £500 million over the last three years to bring the sewerage network system and wastewater treatment works up to an acceptable standard. With ongoing investment, we will continue to improve wastewater services for the people of Northern Ireland.