Faughan probe continuing

John Pollock, Chief Executive of the Loughs Agency, told the ‘Journal’ yesterday that staff from have taken invertebrate samples and carried out electrofishing surveys in the area of the incident.

Mr Pollock added: “We are working closely with Northern Ireland Environment Agency and continue to monitor the river.

“Unfortunately we can’t comment any further as the investigation is still ongoing and may be the subject of legal proceedings.”

The Loughs Agency has also issued the following guidance to the farming community in the North West:

“The moisture content of the current grass crop is very high and without suitable weather conditions to allow wilting of the crop when cut, will give rise to a higher than usual flow of effluent when ensiled.

“The Agency would ask the farming community to take this into consideration when harvesting the crop and ensure that they have adequate storage for the increased flow of effluent.

“The Agency would also appeal to the farming community to be extra vigilant and to check drains and sheughs/watercourses in the vicinity of silos to make sure that there are no underground leaks entering them.”

Meanwhile Derry’s drinking water plant has been restarted after tests on the River Faughan showed raw water quality returning to normal.

The Faughan River supplies 60% of the water used to supply homes and businesses in Derry. The raw water is treated at Carmoney Water Works in the Waterside before being distributed.

The plant was shut down as a precautionary measure last week in the wake of a suspected pollution episode and subsequent fish kill.

Thousands of fish are thought to have perished at two sites in the Campsie and Claudy areas as a result of the pollution incident.