Tyrone company fined £7,000 for polluting discharge to a waterway

A Co Tyrone company was today fined £7,000 plus £52 court costs for making a polluting discharge to a waterway.

P T McWilliams Ltd, of Carnalea Road, Seskinore, Omagh, Co Tyrone was fined at Banbridge Magistrates’ Court (sitting in Newry) for making a polluting discharge to waterways, namely Belmont Stream (a tributary of the River Bann) and the River Bann .

On 15 November 2006, a Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (formally the Environment and Heritage Service) observed high levels of suspended solids in the River Bann. The source of the polluting discharge was traced to the Bridgewater Retail Park construction site. P T McWilliams Ltd was responsible for drainage issues on the site.

A sample taken at the time of the incident confirmed that it contained very high suspended solids. The effluent contained polluting matter which was potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving watercourse. High suspended solids contents may cause irritation to fish gills and make them susceptible to infection. In addition, respiration of fish eggs may be prevented and the life cycle disrupted.

Notes to Editors:

1. P T McWilliams Ltd was charged under Article 7(1)(a) of the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999.

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.