There has been just one ‘illegal wastewater’ conviction in Northern Ireland over five years
Concerns over Northern Ireland sewage pollution have revealed a “shocking” lack of prosecutions despite an estimate of thousands of illegal connections in the UK.
Only one conviction in NI has been made of an unauthorised link up to the wastewater system in the last five years.
The enforcement statistics have been revealed through a Freedom of Information request to Northern Ireland Water by a Mournes elected member.
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Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service Alliance councillor Jill Truesdale said:”Only one prosecution in five years is a shocking figure.
“It clearly shows a need for more enforcement and funding around this particular area with NIW, which has such far reaching consequences for housing, construction and jobs.
“I requested this information because, illegal connections, be they through changes of use or an existing building or new projects without the necessary permissions, are a contributing factor to the overloading of the existing NIW infrastructure.”
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs estimates up to 500,000 UK homes are suspected to be illegally mis-connected.
Pressures on the wastewater network have been publicly announced by NIW with major housing developments in multiple council areas now impacted.
In the last five years, the FoI also shows 12 continuing NIW investigations of unauthorised connections and one ongoing prosecution.
The water authority also listed five cases with insufficient evidence to proceed and three warning letters handed out as well as one formal caution.
The Department for Infrastructure is due to bring forward legislation under the Water Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill to address unlawful connections.
In some instances foul water pipes can be connected to the wrong drainage system ultimately leading to the pollution and contamination of streams, rivers, and coastlines.
Councillor Truesdale added:”While the Bill is very welcome it lacks detail on funding and enforcement of illegal connections.
“Foul drainage connected to surface water is discharged at its final destination be this a river or the sea, without treatment, and surface water drainage connected to foul drainage would overload the system and require treatment so in effect money is being spent on treating rainwater.
“Illegal connections may cause pollution of watercourses as well as hinder development by overloading the system.”
The FoI statement from NIW reads: “NI Water’s approach to enforcement is in line with the principles of better regulation.
“This will help consumers, both domestic and commercial, to understand the nature and extent of their responsibilities and comply with the law voluntarily.
“However, there are times when conformity with the law needs to be sought by formal enforcement action.
“The effective use of enforcement powers is important to secure compliance with the legislation and, where necessary, to ensure that consumers are held to account.
“NI Water’s Enforcement and Prosecution Policy sets out the options available to the company.
“The options available to NI Water range from advisory letters and warning letters to formal cautions and prosecution.”
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