Sewer Focus For High Tech Communications

Computer technology is going down the drain in the North West with news that Internet users in Derry could soon benefit from free high-speed broadband.

The Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson (pictured) said that a meeting she held with technology company, H20 revealed they are planning to install state-of-the-art fibre-optic communication in the historic city's sewer system.

It appears that the company have already installed similar networks in a number of cities across the Irish Republic and are seeking permission to do the same in Londonderry.

"I believe this is an exciting and timely initiative which could play a crucial role in both the Mark II regeneration process and upcoming year as City of Culture year in 2013. "What a statement it would be if we could provide broadband connections to every home in this city at absolutely no cost to the householder," Ms Anderson said.

The Foyle MLA also said the company have assured her they will meet all costs for the project.

The news comes on foot of other revelations that hundreds of tomatoes have been discovered growing in sewers around Northern Ireland.

According to NI Water, a surge in numbers of the plants, which thrive amongst sewage, has been noted over the summer months.

Glenn Nixon, supervisor of a wastewater treatment works, explained why conditions at the site are so well suited to tomato growth: "As tomato seeds are not digested by the human body, they find their way through the sewage system to the treatment works.

"When removed, they sit amongst other dried sewage which acts as a fertilizer and enables them to grow into tomato plants."

Addressing the concern that tomatoes grown along sewage pipes could end up being sold in supermarkets, Mr Nixon continued: "The plants either die of natural causes or are destroyed when the skips are removed from our sites."

(BMcC/GK)