UlsterNet.co.uk

Pollution found in Sixmile River

Thursday, 26 January 2012

POLLUTION has appeared in the Sixmilewater River twice in the past week The Gazette can reveal.
The incidents - which occurred at the North End area of Ballyclare, close to the leisure centre - where discovered last Wednesday and Thursday morning.
Ballynure Angling Club has criticised the discoveries of oil, claiming the latest incidents only add to the devastation the river has suffered over the past two years.
Last January the river suffered one of its worst pollution disasters, which led to a total wipeout of fish stock in the section of the river running from Ballyclare to the Doagh Road Bridge. John Arneill, Ballynure Angling Club secretary, told the Gazette the river was showing slow signs of recovery following the incident last January, but was "not helped" by continued bouts of pollution in parts.
Last Wednesday, January 18, Sam Wilson, from Ballynure Angling Club, discovered the latest oil pollution at around 9.30am.
Acting fast, he contacted the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) who attended the scene.
Mr Arneill said: "When the first NIEA officer arrived on the scene last Wednesday he placed an absorbing boom at the outflow.
“The boom only partially held the discharge and by the time more NIEA officers arrived later that afternoon it was impossible to trace the source of the pollution."
The boom was left in place overnight, but due to conditions arising from heavy rain overnight it was washed away.
“On Thursday afternoon the pollution reappeared at the same location," said Mr Arneill.
“This was reported again to the NIEA by several members of the public and the club secretary, who was told there was only one officer on duty and he was at another incident and so not available to attend the second incident."
The NIEA has confirmed the pollution find on Wednesday, but added no oil was visible when representatives attended the scene on Thursday.

Subscribe to read full newspaper »

Send this page to a friend »