Call for 'major overhaul' of local sewage system

A STRABANE councillor says the wastewater infrastructure in Strabane is in need of a "major overhaul" amid increasing complaints about the "stench" emanating from the local system.

Raymond Barr has been lobbying the statutory authorities for action on an unpleasant odour which has plagued the lower end of Main Street for a number of years.

Mr Barr, who also runs Christy's Bar, says it's not uncommon for customers to leave because of the smell invading the premises, while neighbouring businesses are also impacted.

But the issue is not confined to the town centre, as he says he has also received reports about similar issues in residential areas across the town where "the stench of sewage has become unbearable."

The local councillor met with an NI Water official last month to discuss the problem, and has also written to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and contacted council's Environmental Health.

"Businesses in the town have been seeking help in dealing with this problem for many years to no avail," he said.

"A substantial element of our water bill is for sewer maintenance which is obviously a service we are not receiving.

"I met with NI Water on Thursday, August 21, on site in Strabane and while he (NI Water official) indicated poorly sealed manholes in businesses along Main Street would contribute to the stench in shops, he conceded that the infrastructure was dated and in need of an upgrade.

"He also said the odour emanating from gullies along the street could be because the gullies were poorly trapped although this is a DfI issue which I intend to pursue."

While NI Water committed to schedule a full cleaning of the sewer network within Main Street within seven to 10 days of the meeting, councillor Barr says this will not solve what he believes is a wider issue with an ageing sewage infrastructure system in the town.

"I pointed out the issue is not just exclusive to Main Street but indeed the whole town," he added. "I am getting complaints from residents in Summerhill Court and Carricklyn.

"Developers are being frustrated in their attempts to get planning permission for badly needed housing developments because of issues with wastewater capacity.

"I have asked what plans are in place to tackle this problem which is totally unhelpful to already struggling businesses and to those households who are being forced to live with the stench of sewage in their homes."

In June, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins announced she secured £11million to help unlock wastewater capacity across Northern Ireland.

The independent councillor subsequently wrote to DfI asking if any of this funding has been earmarked for Strabane.

A reply from the Water and Drainage Policy Division stated: "NI Water’s main sewer line does not require any immediate repair works to be carried out and is operating as it should. However, NI Water’s Asset Delivery is team to consider undertaking a sewer rehabilitation scheme in Main Street, Strabane in the future."

Describing the reply as "contradictory", councillor Barr added: "One one hand they are saying there's nothing wrong with the system, but yet they are considering a scheme. Why if the present system is supposedly operating?"

He feels that with work to begin on a major public realm scheme for the town centre, now is the time to address the problem.

"We will shortly see work begin on the long awaited public realm. I feel this would be the perfect time to address some of the issues around sewage in the town centre," he said.

"It would be counterproductive if we have state-of-the-art footpaths and street furniture on one hand and a stench coming from the sewers on the other.

"I would appeal to NI Water and DfI to act collectively in trying to find a permanent solution to this problem."

A spokesperson for NI Water said: "NI Water met with councillor Barr on August 21. A CCTV survey of the main line was carried out with no defects located that require immediate attention.

"NI Water have agreed to give the adopted network on the road a full clean through.

"NI Water advised the property owners that all manholes inside the buildings should be sealed to prevent odour entering the property internally and all waste pipes properly trapped.

"NI Water also informed councillor Barr that the road gullies may not be properly trapped, allowing odours to vent onto the street.

"Councillor Barr has agreed to contact the Department for Infrastructure regarding this issue.”