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06/06/2012
Beach-side Residents Want Action On Raw Sewage
Ageing pipework at a Northern Ireland beauty spot has resulted in raw sewage being pumped straight into the sea and washing back onto the beach.
Residents of Ballyhornan in County Down said they have found used condoms and other sewage on the beach and are concerned about their children's health in the face of pollution.
The Department of the Environment has pledged to take action against Northern Ireland Water, requiring them to screen sewage from the village.
After a written Assembly question from Sinn Fein MLA Chris Hazzard, Environment Minister Alex Attwood said a Waste Order Enforcement Notice will be forthcoming.
Mr Hazzard said the original sewerage system, built to service the now-closed military camp, is no longer able to cope with effluent from the more than 700 homes in the village.
A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said a leaking pipe was repaired after complaints in 2009 but the system was "working fine" when inspected by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency less than two weeks ago.
He said: "An inspection as late as May 25 indicated all appeared to be working fine with no evidence of raw sewage on the beach. Officers will be keeping an eye on the site especially during the bathing season and any evidence of pollution will be acted upon immediately."
An NI Water spokesman said building a screening system will depend on land and right of way.
But he said the company were "anxious to resolve" the situation and recognised improvements were "urgently needed".
Photograph copyright Eric Jones; licensed for re-use.
(NE)
Residents of Ballyhornan in County Down said they have found used condoms and other sewage on the beach and are concerned about their children's health in the face of pollution.
The Department of the Environment has pledged to take action against Northern Ireland Water, requiring them to screen sewage from the village.
After a written Assembly question from Sinn Fein MLA Chris Hazzard, Environment Minister Alex Attwood said a Waste Order Enforcement Notice will be forthcoming.
Mr Hazzard said the original sewerage system, built to service the now-closed military camp, is no longer able to cope with effluent from the more than 700 homes in the village.
A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said a leaking pipe was repaired after complaints in 2009 but the system was "working fine" when inspected by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency less than two weeks ago.
He said: "An inspection as late as May 25 indicated all appeared to be working fine with no evidence of raw sewage on the beach. Officers will be keeping an eye on the site especially during the bathing season and any evidence of pollution will be acted upon immediately."
An NI Water spokesman said building a screening system will depend on land and right of way.
But he said the company were "anxious to resolve" the situation and recognised improvements were "urgently needed".
Photograph copyright Eric Jones; licensed for re-use.
(NE)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Largely dry with clear spells at first, a few showers in the north and west. Becoming cloudier with rain spreading east through the early hours. Becoming windy, westerly gales developing along the north coast. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
