Saintfield Wastewater Treatment Works Pollution Incident

08 December 2015 14:53

NI Water has pleaded guilty to causing a pollution incident from Saintfield Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) on 23rd May 2014.  The incident occurred due to a blockage in the treatment process.

A spokesperson for NI Water explained, “NI Water discovered the blockage following a visit to Saintfield WwTW.  The blockage was soon cleared and there was no evidence of a lasting impact on the local environment.  

“NI Water has carried out extensive work since this incident to minimise the risk of a repeat incident.

“NI Water co-operated fully with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) during the subsequent clean-up and investigation.”  

NI Water was fined £7,500 and is currently considering appealing the size of the fine.   

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.