NI Water Statement - Pollution incident Killinchy Wastewater Pumping Station
17 May 2024 12:00
NI Water was fined £5,000 for a pollution incident from Killinchy Wastewater Pumping Station to a tributary of the Blackwater River near Killinchy on 22 August 2022.
In a statement, an NI Water spokesperson said: “NI Water takes its responsibility to the environment with the utmost seriousness, having invested approximately £500 million in the network over the last three years, including approximately £1.5 million at the Killinchy site. NI Water currently have two projects programmed at the Killinchy site to be delivered between now and 2027 totalling an estimated value of £11.5 million.
“Unfortunately, in August 2022, the pumping station experienced an interruption to its power supply and resulted in a trip of the incoming supply breaker.
“Staff acted quickly in responding to this incident. Power was restored to the site within an hour of receiving the report and the works was returned to full operational status. Further investigations of the river downstream showed it to be in very good condition.
“NI Water treats 340 million litres of wastewater every day through a network which comprises over 15,000 kilometres of pipes and more than 1,000 wastewater treatment works.
“The extent and size of the network we operate means there is a risk of pollution incidents occurring. For this reason, the company is set stringent targets by the Utility Regulator to reduce pollution incidents. Whilst these targets have been consistently met since 2008, on those rare instances when an incident does arise, it is a matter of the utmost regret. After such an incident, a review is carried out and recommendations from that review are implemented across our assets where appropriate.
“As a company, we place the highest possible priority on the protection of the environment to which we safely discharge treated wastewater each and every day from our wastewater treatment plants.”
ENDS
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