SPECIALIST contractors had to remove raw sewage from a beach in Ardglass last week.
They were called in after the sewage spewed out of a storm drain at the Strangford Road which residents say occurs three or four times a year.
Northern Ireland Water suggested the problem may be as a result of homeowners in the area connecting bathroom extensions into an existing storm drain.
Mr. Raymond Smyth, who lives at the entrance to the Whiterock estate at the Strangford Road, said the “stench is terrible” when sewage flows out of the pipe. He said people who live close to the beach experience problems with flies and insects in the wake of sewage spills.
Mr. Smyth continued: “I have reported this issue to NI Water and Down Council environmental health officials who regularly send people out to investigate the problem. NI Water have been particularly good in dealing with this issue when it arises and its engineers are very helpful.
The concerned resident suggested while NI Water staff continue their work to address the problem, consideration could be given to extending the concrete outfall pipe around 25 metres out to sea and away from the beach.
“While this is not an ideal solution, it would help prevent sewage from ending up on the beach, posing a major health and safety issue and problems for residents who live nearby,” he continued.
“Raw sewage should not be finding it’s way into a storm drain. However, this is what’s happening in Ardglass with the sewage ending up on the beach.”
Mr. Smyth said while NI Water reacts promptly when it receives reports of sewage flowing from the outfall pipe, the organisation needs to come up with a long term solution to prevent this from happening again.
He added: “We simply can’t continue to have a situation where sewage ends up on a beach used by local children and people who walk their dogs.”
A spokeswoman for NI Water said it is aware of the problem raised by Mr. Smyth at the outfall pipe at the Strangford Road in the village and has been on site investigating solutions.
“NI Water believes that some customers have connected their private sewers into this storm sewer and are contributing to the problem.
NI Water is working towards finding a permanent solution,” she added.