Robinson expresses concern at continued building development and questions the ability of water and sewage infrastructure to cope with expansion
East Antrim MLA Ken Robinson has met with senior officials of the Water Service at their Belfast Headquarters to express his concerns regarding ongoing building development across the East Antrim constituency.
Speaking afterwards Mr Robinson said, “This was a very positive and informative meeting with the Water Service. I again expressed my reservations about the ability of the present sewage infrastructure to adequately cope with the existing demands. In particular I raised the matter of infill developments and the strain they put on out of date systems. It is not unusual now to see sites which have contained one single dwelling being snapped up by developers and shortly afterwards planning applications lodged for multiple housing units. In some instances as many as twenty plus apartments are being proposed.
“While a developer currently may install a modern sewage system to service his individual site, the impact of this extra loading on the existing downstream system often leaves householders with problems including spillage. This situation is often exacerbated following heavy rainfall, which can lead to out of sewer flooding. I have asked officials to pursue ways in which potential developments should be assessed to ascertain their impact upon existing dwellings and businesses.
“I also took the opportunity to discuss recommendations emerging from the continuing Drainage Area Studies within East Antrim. These will eventually lead to improvements in Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey Council areas with work being carried out at Ballystrudder, Ballycarry, Whitehead, Greenisland and Carrickfergus as well as Whitehouse and Greencastle.
“The Water Service also plans to upgrade its waste water treatment facilities to comply with the higher regulatory standards. This includes the ongoing waste water treatment facilities at Carrickfergus and Whitehouse which, when completed, will have cost some £18million. This scheme will complement the ongoing work to complete the new waste water treatment facility at Larne which will eventually service the catchment area from Glynn as far north as Ballygally. Greenisland will also benefit from a £500,000 waste water treatment works which will provide an improved storm water management scheme that will service a wide area incorporating adjoining parts of Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus Council areas.
“In addition, future waste water treatment at Whitehead, Ballycarry and Ballystrudder is currently subject to a detailed study to investigate the most advantageous solution to address the needs in this scientifically sensitive location.”
Mr Robinson concluded, “I also took the opportunity to raise individual instances of flooding, changes to ground water levels, increased run-off, the need for separate foul and rain water sewers in all future developments and ways of reducing such discharges into local water courses.
“Generally the meeting was positive and constructive. It underlined the impact of thirty years of non-investment in the system and the urgent need to upgrade if we are to avoid infraction proceedings by the European Union. Unfortunately, instead of the Northern Ireland Office funding this backlog, the burden is about to fall, yet again, on the long suffering public in the form of proposed water charges.”