Senior NIEA officials told a public meeting in Antrim that risk assessments are being conducted on any business premises considered to pose a high or medium risk as part of a series of measures introduced after the extensive June 18 fish kill on the river.
Extensive chemical sampling of the river has also been carried out by the Agency during the investigation into the incident and there has been a biological survey to help identify where the pollutant actually entered the waterway.
While no polluter has as yet been identified, the survey has narrowed down the possible point of entry to two pipes which both come from the direction of the Mallusk Industrial Estate.
Over 25,000 trout and around 10,000 coarse fish were killed during the pollution incident which also impacted on invertebrates such as chironomid midges and shrimps.
Acting NIEA Chief Executive Dr Roy Ramsay, who attended the public meeting organised by the Antrim and District Angling Association, said his Agency and the Department of the Environment were as anxious as the local community to establish what had happened on June 18 and to address the problem of pollution of the Six Mile Water.
Dr Ramsay said: “NIEA is frustrated that to date we have not been able to identify who was responsible for releasing the pollutant into the river which caused this fish kill.
“While samples have been collected and analysed and a vast range of substances have been identified, it is still not clear what actually caused this pollution incident.
“This incident has caused great distress to the local community including anglers using the river. However, someone knows who was responsible. I would therefore urge anyone, whether they are at tonight’s meeting or not, to come forward with any information they might have which can help the agency to identify the offender. This can be done by contacting the NIEA Water Operations Team or the Water Pollution Hotline.”
The meeting was told that the Agency has launched a comprehensive drain survey and mapping exercise which will cover all business premises and Northern Ireland Water assets within the Mallusk Industrial Estate.
Pollution risk assessment methodology is also being used on any business premises which are considered to represent a high or medium risk of causing water pollution. Premises assessed as being of high or medium risk will be required to undertake proactive work to reduce the risk assessment to a low classification.
The Agency is also involved in an ongoing pollution reduction programme within the wider Six Mile Water catchment and which has been underway for a number of years and has involved regular liaison with officials and officers from the Antrim and District Angling Association.
A draft River Basin Management Plan for the Six Mile Water, as required under the Water Framework Directive, will be issued for public consultation in December 2008.
Notes To Editors:
1. Anyone with information on the June 18 Six Mile Water pollution incident or any other incident in Northern Ireland is urged to contact NIEA Water Operations Team on 028 9262 3238 or the Water Pollution Hotline on 0800 807060.
2. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
