Environment Minister Sammy Wilson issued the call during a visit to the Lisburn headquarters of NIEA's Water Management Unit.
The Minister toured the unit's state-of-the-art water testing laboratories and met staff who deal with pollution incidents and monitor bathing water quality.
He said: "The summer is an extremely busy time for NIEA's Water Management Unit who are in the front line in the battle against pollution.
"In addition to the seasonal increase in pollution incidents, it is also the sea water bathing season. Water samples are collected from 24 local beaches.
"These are then analysed at NIEA's laboratories in Lisburn and the results are published on the web via weekly updates in addition to being sent to coastal councils for posting on-site at bathing beaches.
"The results are also used for annual classifications which contribute to several prestigious beach award schemes.
"Since taking office last year, I have been impressed by the hard work and dedication of staff in the Water Management Unit who monitor bathing water quality and also those who respond around the clock to reports of pollution in our streams, rivers and lakes, who investigate the causes and pursue polluters through the courts.
"NIEA's staff very much care about keeping the quality of our bathing waters and our inland waterways wonderful and I think that can be seen in the number of successful prosecutions the unit has taken over the past year against individuals and companies responsible for pollution."
Out of the 69 water pollution cases which NIEA took to court between 1 January last year and 18 June this year, 59 resulted in fines totalling £144,250.
The courts also handed out a suspended sentence in one case, two absolute discharges and two conditional discharges.
Mr Wilson noted when faced with the devastating aftermath of pollution incidents, like the Sixmilewater River last year, the Agency embarked on a pro-active strategy to ensure businesses complied with the law.
NIEA staff visited companies in Mallusk to ensure firms were storing chemicals properly and warn them of the consequences of flouting the law. They also moved to develop a better working relationship with local anglers and residents.
The Minister said: "Rivers are particularly sensitive to pollution at this time of the year through a combination of lower flows and higher temperatures.
"The lower flows mean there is reduced dilution for any pollutants and the higher temperatures mean that the water contains less dissolved oxygen.
"Any pollutant which requires oxygen to break it down can result in very low dissolved oxygen levels which can then result in a fish kill.
"NIEA cannot work in isolation in tackling pollution. Just as the police cannot be expected to stand on every street corner to combat crime, Water Management Unit staff cannot be on every blade of grass by every river bank.
"That is why we have a Water Pollution Hotline 0800 80 70 60 and we would encourage anyone who either comes across a pollution incident or who suspects a company is flouting the law to use that Freephone number to trigger an investigation.
"Everyone who works or lives close to a river or lake needs to remain vigilant and take even more care than normal to ensure no polluting matter is allowed to escape and pollute our rivers. It is not just oil or chemicals poured down a drain which can have a devastating effect. Sewage effluent, silage liquor, slurry and milk are also substances that can pollute our rivers and cause fish kills."
Notes to Editors:
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