Northern Ireland Water (NIW) has been fined over sewage pollution incidents on a tributary of Belfast's River Lagan. The company was ordered to pay £2,000 plus costs after admitting two counts of causing pollution on the Blackstaff relief culvert. Pollution was discovered in June and September last year by inspectors working for the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), now the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA),
Sewage was overflowing from Glenmachan Street sewage pumping station and a combined sewer at Fane Street. Problems at the Fane Street overflow had been brought to NIW's attention three times during the previous fortnight. In a statement, NIW said it took pollution seriously and has taken steps to make sure similar incidents at the sites do not happen again. A company spokesperson commented, "NIW believes that the fine reflects the court's recognition that these incidents were the direct result of NIW inheriting a vulnerable system. NIW has co-operated fully with the NIEA throughout this process."
In other water news, first minister Peter Robinson has confirmed that he wants to further delay the introduction of water charges. They were due to be introduced next spring, but Mr Robinson said families could not afford water bills on top of soaring household costs. He did however warn that such deferment would not be sustainable in the long time.
