Raw sewage spilling into the River Erne in Enniskillen is having an adverse effect on the local environment, housing and tourism as the latest overflow has gone untreated for weeks, a local councillor has said.
Local residents reported a foul smell in the Derrin Park area of the Riverside walk in the town in recent weeks as sewage can be seen overflowing from a manhole in the area.
Several areas around the River Erne in the county have seen raw sewage spill into the waterways in recent years, with concern voiced over the environment impact as well as the effects on local tourism and new housing plans.
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The issue at Derrin Park was reported to NI Water and the body said it had made a site visit to the area on Wednesday.
Independent councillor Donal O’Cofaigh says this is just the latest in a long series of sewage issues which is the result of under investment from statutory bodies.
“We’ve had quite a few incidents around Enniskillen where fishermen have caught all sorts of solid material coming from our sewage system,” Cllr O’Cofaigh told MyFermanagh.
“This is just one example of what we have seen over the last 15 years.
“A couple of weeks ago I reported this latest issue to NI Water and I haven’t really got a reply as of yet.
“I see the area has become even more disgusting and the smell is now extreme.”
“The problem is that the capacity of the sewer outlets is not high enough to deal with excessive rainfall, and what is needed is a complete refit.
“There is a commitment to refit four of these but there are 12 of these outlets causing problems. It just goes to show how inadequate the investment is.”
O’Cofaigh says the impact of the raw sewage contaminating waterways is not simply an environmental one.
“It’s not just the pollution aspect of this but many rural villages can’t even get new housing because the waste water treatment facilities are completely inadequate to accommodate further housing.
“There’s actually now areas around Enniskillen with a sub layer of sediment and sewage under the surface and we are also at the same time encouraging people to do watersports.
“The council is trying to invest and improve and encourage water based tourism, and at the same time there are layers of sewage going into the water.
“That’s the reality around Enniskillen at the moment and it’s a disgrace.
In a statement provided to MyFermanagh NI Water, who are responsible for the waste water system in the area, said investigations into the issue are ongoing.
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“NI Water are investigating a report of flooding in the Loughview Drive/Derrin Park area of Enniskillen," a spokesperson said.
"An NI Water crew visited the area today, 20 April and investigations are continuing to establish the source and resolve the matter.
"All sewer systems are designed with emergency spill points known as network combined sewer overflows (CSOs) or as Emergency Overflows (EOs) at wastewater pumping stations.
"These overflows are required to reduce the risk of sewage escaping from sewers and causing the flooding of homes, schools and businesses with sewage during periods of heavy rainfall.
"NI Water’s infrastructure plans over the 2021 – 2027 period (known as PC21) for the Fermanagh & Omagh District Council area will see an overall capital investment of circa £21m, which includes ca £10m to upgrade Wastewater Treatment works and sewer networks.
"This is over and above essential base maintenance investment associated with our assets during PC21. This investment will begin to address the sewer and wastewater capacity issues. However, we recognise that significant further investment will be required within the Council area during future Price Control periods to allow new housing and business development to proceed in some areas."
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