Sewage discharge blamed for River Lagan stink

However, the only thing he saw floating on the river last week was sewage.

Trevor Ogborn has spoken of the plight of local residents who live with a constant smell as the overburdened Dunmurry Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) struggles to cope with the demand placed upon it.

Whilst the plant is allowed to release a discharge into the river when it reaches a certain level, Trevor said last week's sewage was one of the worst cases he has seen.

"What I saw on Thursday was the sort of stuff they would pump into the sea; it was almost raw. Especially after seeing the seal in the same place, it was a bit of a shock.

"You regularly see suspension on the river and it smells bad, but that was about 4 inches deep with scum on top and large flotsam.

"Dunmurry works is considerably overcapacity. The DOE and NI Water admit that, the only dissent is by how much. We know the works are overcapacity yet planners refuse to deny planning on connection grounds because there 'might be' an upgrade in the life of the application."

Trevor contacted NI Water, the Planning Service and local representatives to ask whether the full upgrade planned for the plant has been brought forward from 2012 until 2010.

In a response to MP Jeffrey Donaldson, NI Water's Director of Customer Services Liam Mulholland said: "The upgrade to the works is currently anticipated to take place from May 2010 until early 2012 and during this period the existing plant will be kept fully operational in order to maintain treatment at current levels.

"It is anticipated the new odour control plant will be operational by autumn 2010."

However, Trevor is concerned that in the current economic climate the upgrade may be put on hold.

"If you are someone who walks the Lagan Valley Regional Park, as I do, you will see the rivers sitting in suspension, which they are allowed to discharge but when five or six treatment works along the river are doing the same thing you can see the effect it has. It is maybe only two miles down the river to where they carry out canoe courses for kids at Shaws Bridge; how safe can the water be?"

Councillor Brian Heading commented: "If this is due to the Dunmurry Treatment plant, it is a further indication that work needs to start on the plant as soon as possible. I have concerns that with the expected public spending cuts plants such as Dunmurry included for work to be carried out will be postponed."

A DOE spokesperson said: "We have a Water Quality Unit so we do monitor this kind of thing. There is also a water pollution hotline, which is a 24 hour hotline that people can contact with information which we will follow up, so it is something we are continually monitoring."

An NI Water spokesperson commented: "NI Water is liaising with NIEA regarding reports of a discharge to the River Lagan on Thursday 7th January 2010. Unfortunately, NI Water was only made aware of the incident on Friday 8th January, and after a site visit with the Lagan Valley park ranger, couldn't find any evidence of the discharge.

"NI Water has consented discharges from three Wastewater Treatment Works close to this area, including Dunmurry WwTW. However, NI Water has found no evidence of the discharge seen in the photographs. Further investigations are ongoing at this time between NI Water and NIEA as to the possible source of the discharge.

"NI Water would appeal to members of the public to report incidents such as this as soon as possible."