Polluter 'Fined' Over Waterway Discharge

Anglers and conservationists angry over repeated 'fish kills' on a river that flows into Lough Neagh are now seeing further action taken against those responsible.

After several pollution incidents at local rivers - all believed to have originated at the nearby industrial estate at Mallusk - another Co Antrim business has been penalised - although the fine imposed may not be a sufficient deterinent.

A total of £1,000 plus £25 court costs was awarded at Belfast Magistrates' Court last week.

Northstone (NI) Ltd, of Kingsway, Dunmurry, was fined £500 for making a polluting discharge to a waterway, namely Cottonmount Burn, a tributary of the Sixmilewater.

The company was also fined £500 for making a discharge in contravention of the Department's consent conditions.

It emerged in court that on 6 November 2007, an officer from the Pollution Prevention Team and a Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, observed a polluting discharge entering the Cottonmount Burn.

The source of the polluting discharge was traced to the Northstone site at Mallusk Road.

The court was told that a sample taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious and polluting matter which would have been potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving watercourse.

The officials said that harmful effects include clogging fish gills leading to stress, smothering and death, the destruction of fish spawning sites leading to a reduction in fish population and the destruction of habitats for invertebrates which are an important food source for fish.

Suspended solids also blanket aquatic plants leading to reduced growth rates and reduction in dissolved oxygen levels inn the water.

See: Mallusk Firm Hit With River Pollution Fine

See: Fish Kills Targeted

See: Further Fish Kill Probed

(BMcC/JM)