Moneyreagh Wastewater Treatment Works Pollution Incident
03 September 2012 14:24
NI Water has pleaded guilty to a breach of discharge consent relating to Moneyreagh Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) on 1 March 2010.A spokesperson for NI Water explained, “NI Water was alerted to a problem at the Moneyreagh site on 1 March 2010. Staff had been carrying out a complex cleaning operation on site. This resulted in the hydraulic capacity of the Treatment Works to be reduced. Arrangements were made to reduce the storm tank levels and the discharge ceased.
“A subsequent investigation has enabled NI Water to identify areas for improvement; now tankers remove sewage from the storm tanks during routine chemical cleaning operations.
“A general review of this type of system has also highlighted the need to provide a support regime for the plant including allocating more resources and ultimately a possible requirement for further investment.
“NI Water co-operated fully with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency during the subsequent clean-up and investigation.”
NI Water was fined £4,000.
Moneyreagh Wastewater Treatment Works Pollution Incident
NI Water has pleaded guilty to a breach of discharge consent relating to Moneyreagh Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) on 31 January 2011.
A spokesperson for NI Water explained, “NI Water was alerted to a problem at the Moneyreagh site on 31 January 2011. It is acknowledged the Works is overloaded and experiencing difficulties treating the flows from the local catchment area. Until these difficulties are rectified, the Works receives scheduled visits six times per week and, as required, attendance for alarm systems and emergency calls.
“A tankering schedule has also been put in operation and a full removal and clean of the tanks was carried out to improve the flow.
“NI Water co-operated fully with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency during the subsequent clean-up and investigation.”
NI Water was fined £8,000.
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.