The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) have this month revealed the action it has taken to tackle high risk pollution threats on the Mallusk Industrial Estate. Work involving the pollution risk assessment of 300 businesses was intensified in the wake of two fish kills this year on the Six Mile Water River, and the NIEA have identified 20 sites which pose a major pollution risk.
Staff issued four notices to companies, 16 pre-notices and took four sets of statutory samples with a view to prosecution. Following the samples, two cases were recommended for prosecution, while results have still to be confirmed in the remaining two cases.
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson said, "Since the two fish kill incidents this year, NIEA staff have intensified their efforts to address the problem of pollution incidents on the river and ensure businesses are fully aware of what is expected of them. During the survey of businesses on the site, staff identified a range of potential pollutants on 20 high risk sites including oil, chemicals, cleaning materials and concrete. NIEA carried out site investigations, extensive drainage surveys and discussed the seriousness of the risks and the implications for the environment and the companies concerned with site managers. The notices and pre-notices issued to companies contained details of the work required to mitigate or stop pollution within a specified time frame."
Mr Wilson went on to stress the need for the public to help the NIEA eliminate the pollution risk from businesses. "If anyone has information that a company is regularly flouting the law or indeed is responsible for a particular incident they should immediately bring that to the attention of the water pollution team. They can do that by phoning the water pollution hotline on 0800 80760. Our staff are only too willing to investigate those claims."
