OEP to investigate NI authorities over Belfast Lough sewage spills

(by Karma Loveday)

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has announced an investigation into Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure (DfI), Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Utility Regulator over the regulation of sewage discharges into Belfast Lough.

The investigation will examine the regulation of discharges of untreated sewage from wastewater treatment works and combined sewer overflows, and determine whether these authorities have failed to comply with environmental law in their respective duties.

Natalie Prosser, OEP chief executive, explained: “We’ll be looking at whether the Utility Regulator and DfI have met their duties to take necessary enforcement action, where Northern Ireland (NI) Water may not be fulfilling their own responsibilities for sewage discharges. For DAERA, we’ll examine whether it has set and updated the conditions that allow sewage overflows to spill in line with legal standards.”

She added: “NI Water is not in scope of this investigation as the OEP’s role is not to step into the shoes of the regulators, but to ensure that they themselves are fulfilling their legal duties. However, we will be speaking to NI Water and requesting information to support this work.” 

If the OEP finds failures to comply with the law, its aim is to improve compliance and regulation, for long-term water quality improvement. Court action would be a last resort. The findings will be relevant to other water bodies in Northern Ireland.