Dallat raises stink over sewage smell

THE spreading of sewage on farmland without chemical treatment is disgusting, nauseating and without justification, according to the SDLP Environment Spokesperson John Dallat who has been inundated with complains from people in the borough who have to keep their windows shut.

The emptying of tanks at water treatment works is carried out by a Scottish contractor acting on behalf of Northern Ireland Water (NIW).

The process, known as ‘lime cake’, is a mixture of raw sewage and lime and is given to farmers at a nominal charge covering the cost of spreading the material.

Mr Dallat said: “While everyone understands the need to dispose of the effluent and put it to good news there is no reason why this could not be managed in a way that causes minimum discomfort to hundreds of homes that have been penetrated with the most disgusting pong which sticks to fabrics and simply will not go away.

“When I visited the Greenhall Highway area of Coleraine, which is adjacent to farmland I found that everyone was indoors with windows firmly shut.

“Children off school during the holidays were cocooned in their homes and unable to go out to play and enjoy what should have been fresh air rather than the nauseating and disgusting pong which is worse than anything I have ever experienced for a very long time.

“It is my understanding that neutralising chemicals are available which can address the worst aspects of the smell and allow people the freedom to go about their daily chores.”

Mr Dallat added: “There is, without doubt, an urgent need for new legislation which currently does not exist. In the meantime I have raised the issue with NIW questioning why they are not doing anything to address the concerns of the people stunk out in their homes.

“In the past this materials was taken out to sea and dumped. That was outlawed and rightfully so but where are the rights of the people who are now living with this not just in Coleraine but Ringsend and Aghadowey where similar contract work is being carried out by NI Water.”