Strabane business fined for pollution of waterway

A Strabane business has been fined £2,000 for the pollution of a waterway.
Strabane Developments Limited, Leckpatrick Road, Artigarvan, Strabane was charged with the offence yesterday at Strabane Magistrates Court.
Following a visit from the Northern Ireland Environmental Agency it was found that the discharge of suspended solids was 87 times the consented limit.
High concentrations of suspended solids in a waterway can have an abrasive effect upon the gills of fish, making them susceptible to infection, and can interfere with their respiration.
Strabane Developments Limited, Leckpatrick Road, Artigarvan, Strabane, was charged under Article 7 (1) (a) of the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 for the offence of making a polluting discharge to a waterway.
On 25th February this year a Water Quality Inspector visited a housing development at Glen Road, Strabane and observed discharge from the site which appeared to have a high level of suspended solids.
A sample confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter.
The discharge of suspended solids was greater than 87 times the consented limit.
Strabane Developments Limited pleaded guilty and was fined £2,000 plus an offender levy of £15 at Strabane Magistrates’ Court yesterday.