In the most recent incident, EHS received a report of a fish kill in the River Torrent at Carland Bridge near Dungannon last night.
EHS officers and Fisheries Conservancy Board (FCB) have been in the area determining the source of the pollution and assess the environmental impact. At this stage around 60 fish are believed to have been killed in the incident and samples have been taken as part of the investigation.
EHS staff were also today continuing to investigate a major fish kill in Co Antrim at the Sixmilewater River.
The Environmental Regulator received a report via the Water Pollution Hotline yesterday of the incident at Dunadry, alerting the FCB.
A Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf of EHS, was immediately tasked to the area to investigate and assess the environmental impact. A significant number of dead fish were observed indicating a ‘major fish kill’. Officers were investigating the possibilty that the incident was linked to one reported earlier that day on the Ballymartin River.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the pollution, believed to be chemical in nature, and investigative samples have been taken at a number of points on the river. To date, FCB staff have reported there are approximately 2300 dead game fish and thousands of coarse fish killed. These figures are expected to rise.
An EHS spokesperson said: "We would like to remind all sectors of industry and the public to note that
watercourses in Northern Ireland are currently especially sensitive to all forms of pollution due to the low flow in rivers and to be especially vigilant to ensure nothing polluting is allowed to enter our rivers and streams."
Notes to Editors
- EHS have urged members of the public who notice anything suspicious about either incident to use Water Pollution Hotline on Freephone 0800 80 70 60. Caller’s details will remain in confidence.
- For further media information, please contact the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
