‘Utterly unacceptable’
Thursday, 11 September 2008
LOCAL MLA and Deputy Mayor of Limavady, Alderman George Robinson is seeking a full inquiry into Northern Ireland Water's handling of a raw sewerage leakage into gardens in Whitehill Park, Limavady at the weekend.
Last Friday and Saturday, residents in the area discovered raw sewage spilled into gardens, paths and patios after drains overflowed. It is the second time residents in the area have been affected this summer
One resident said he heard strange noises coming from his toilet, and went outside to check the sewage manhole. "It was about to overflow, and within the next few minutes we had raw sewage creeping along out path and round the back of the house towards our patio."
Alderman Robinson said: "Residents informed me early on Saturday morning that since 6pm on Friday evening, raw sewerage had been leaking into the back gardens of their properties. At this time, that meant there had been a 14 hour period where this was happening, apparently with no response to the residents urgent calls for assistance with the problem. I understand some residents could be faced with a 20 hour delay before the problem is fully addressed," said Alderman Robinson.
"The residents felt abandoned to cope by themselves. Only when I got involved did things seems to take a positive turn. This is just totally and utterly unacceptable."
Following the incident, Mr Robinson sent a letter to the DRD Minister, Conor Murphy calling for the enquiry. In it, he said: "I am writing to express my concerns relating to the raw sewerage leak in the Whitehill area of Limavady over September 5 and 6.
“My main concern is the delay that my constituents perceive, a perception I share, of an unduly long delay in having their serious problem addressed. It was only on Saturday September 6 morning, after I became personally involved and a 14 hour period from the onset of the leak, that there was any perceivable movement in addressing the problem, or information about what was being done to rectify the situation made available. During this period my constituents were living with raw sewerage in the back gardens of their homes. This is a situation that I find totally and utterly unacceptable.
“It is well known the dangers that raw sewerage has many potential health risks, indeed when these health risks were discovered the sewerage network was built to improve public health. In the 21st century it is therefore unbelievable and unacceptable that these well known health risks have apparently been at best overlooked, or grossly underestimated. This is a situation that must never be permitted to occur again anywhere in Northern Ireland.
“I am also concerned that there was seemingly a lack of information exchange between NIW and the contractors who deal with some aspects of these situations. Again I believe this to be totally unacceptable in a modern society.
“Further, the residents affected were given no information as to what action was being taking to rectify the sewerage leak. With a problem which, as I alluded to previously, has such serious potential health consequences it is vital that those people affected are given the maximum information possible to reassure them that the problem is being dealt with expediently.
“As a result of these legitimate concerns I believe that a full and extensive enquiry is required to establish what went wrong and undoubtedly the aspects which worked well in this incident. I am asking that you instigate this enquiry as a matter of urgency, report back to the DRD Committee with recommendations on where and how the expedient resolutions of problems, such as those experienced by my constituents, can be dealt with expeditiously. The enquiry must also look at the exchange of information between all involved, NIW/Contractors and residents. If changes need to be made then your recommendations should reflect the need for changes and your proposals for rectifying any existing problems."
Speaking after the incident, the Deputy Mayor added: "I have submitted written Assembly questions to try and establish why such a long period elapsed, and my personal intervention was required, before residents felt anything was being proactively done to address a very serious situation."
