AQW 28399/22-27
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Sinn Féin
Foyle
Tabled Date: 09/06/2025
Answered On Date: 17/06/2025
Priority Written: Yes
Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail what contingency arrangements are in place if a water pollution issue were to be identified in the River Faughan.
Answer:
The NIEA Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60 and the emergency-pollution@daera-ni.gov.uk email address allow the general public and professional partners to report water pollution incidents on a 24/7, 365 days per year basis. NIEA investigates all reports of water pollution and, following investigation, incidents are classified as having had a High, Medium or Low Severity environmental impact. If a water pollution issue is reported in the River Faughan, the NIEA response will be based on the evidence initially available in respect of the likely environmental impact. NIEA also provides a Continuous Response Officer for the Mobuoy site who will organise any necessary emergency works to minimise any impacts to the River Faughan. Additionally, NIEA aims to inform Northern Ireland Water Ltd where water pollution incidents could potentially impact their abstraction points. NIEA’s initial priority will be to stop the polluting discharge at source and, where possible, mitigate the risk to the receiving waterway. In parallel with the response, all incidents are investigated as potential criminal offences. Formal enforcement action is normally considered for incidents having a High or Medium Severity environmental impact where a polluter has been identified. NIEA is committed to tackling water pollution by pursuing offenders in line with the DAERA Enforcement Policy under legislation including the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 and the Nutrient Action Programme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019. In addition to formal prosecution, other enforcement actions available to the Department include the issuing of Warning Letters, Notices and Breaches of Cross-Compliance for agricultural incidents.
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