Raw sewage stink
Dungiven children playing in water polluted with raw sewage and rats are at risk of being poisoned, a local resident has warned.
The back garden of Caoran Dubh resident John Mullan is just a few metres from the Hass Burn which flows through Dungiven into the River Roe.
Since an additional 200 or so houses have been built in the surrounding area the Dungiven man claims the water system is unable to cope and the result is raw sewage in the burn which has attracted rats and other vermin.
"The smell is unbelievable and it's dangerous for the young ones that play there. It's totally filthy," said Mr. Mullan.
"This is pure sewage coming straight from toilets and it's coming out of a pipe. It goes down the whole way through the back of the town to the River Roe. The summer is the worst because that is when there is the least amount of water in the burn to take it away, so it lies stagnant. It gathers flies too. I don't think I should have to put up with it."
Mr. Mullan said years ago the burn was "an adventure area" for local children but warned: "I think if you allow children into it now it would kill them. They'd be poisoned by what's flowing down there."
Sinn Fin councillor Cathal hOisn said the situation is "intolerable" for residents.
"NI Water tells me the stations have consented overflow which would only discharge wastewater in emergency conditions and as you can see from the pictures this is the height of summer, where there are no heavy water flows or emergency conditions," he explained.
"I have seen it at its worst at the height of summer. It's intolerable and people have to live with this and it's not right."
Colr. hOisn: "NI Water should look actively at trying to pipe this section of the burn. Ideally we'd like all of it piped off and put this into a culvert and make sure the water runs underground."
A NI Water spokesperson said: "NI Water operates six pumping stations which flow to Dungiven Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW). The pumping stations are consented to discharge during a storm event and during periods of heavy rain. Each of these pumping stations are monitored by a telemetry system and visited regularly. Records show they have been operating normally.
"There are other possible contributories into the stream, for example, private septic tanks which may be connected to it. NI Water is investing 2.8m upgrading the Dungiven WwTW. This will allow the works to deal with extra flows, enhance service provision in the area and allow for future growth and development. In addition, the scheme will improve the quality of the River Roe and the long term viability of species and habitats of high conservation importance."
The spokesperson added: "NI Water is happy to meet with concerned residents in the area."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Derry
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
