Sewer problem in village

Blockages in the sewage system had caused the pumping station at Windsor Hill to 'fail' and raw sewage has pumped out into the stream that runs through the village.

One resident said it was 'disgusting': "The Twelfth is in Waringstown this year and there is raw sewage pumping through the village.

"They had to upgrade the station because there were over 140 houses built in the area and it looks like it still can't cope.

"For it to happen once OK - but you would think that after the second time they would not allow it to happen for a third. "The place absolutely stinks."

The Northern Ireland Environment agency (NIEA) said it was considering prosecution.

A spokesman said: "On three separate occasions NIEA responded to water pollution complaints, made by members of the public, indicating that there was untreated sewage being discharged to a tributary of the River Lagan at Waringstown.

"Water quality inspectors, acting on behalf of NIEA investigated the complaints and, on each of the dates indicated, the polluting discharges were traced to an asset at Primary Walk, near to Windsor Hill.

"On each occasion, the Inspector requested that the operator of the asset take remedial action to have the discharges stopped as soon as was practicable.

"Further to the investigations, statutory samples have been taken with a view to prosecution and the investigation remains on-going."