Pollution Continues In Glasswater River At Crossgar

FOLLOWING further complaints about the leakage of an oily substance into the Glasswater River at Crossgar bridge, the NIEA has once again extended its already lengthy investigation to monitor the pollution incident. In the past two years nine pollution incidents relation to oil in the river have been investigated.

John Peacocke, Chairman of  Lecale Conservation, an environmental group set up to promote and protect the Lecale environment, said, “I have observed this leak for most of this year. It is quite noticeable at the moment. Oil or a petrol-like liquid is definitely leaking in to the river from close to the new drain that was built recently.

“The surface of the Glasswater is noticeably covered in an oily film and the rainbows are very conspicuous. And you can smell it quite clearly.

“This bridge in the centre of Crossgar is probably one of the few bridges in the country where on a clear day you can watch the native brown trout in the river.  But other animals such as otters and kingfishers and other birds will also be affected by this. It has been on-going for some time and needs to be sorted out,” added Mr Peacocke.

John Peacocke, Chairman of Lecale Conservation, points to the ongoing oil leak into the Glasswater River in Crossgar.

Down News contacted the NIEA, and a spokesperson said, “The NIEA investigated 16 substantiated pollution incidents linked to the Glasswater River in Crossgar, in the last few years.

“In 2008 NIEA investigated 5 pollution incidents. All the incidents were caused by sewage discharges. One incident was categorised as medium severity and the other four were categorised as low severity.

“In 2009, NIEA investigated one pollution incident which was caused by a sewage discharge and categorised as low severity.

“In 2010 NIEA investigated five pollution incidents.  Four of the incidents were caused by oil discharging to the river and one was caused by a sewage discharge. One incident was categorised as medium severity and the other four were categorised as low severity.

“In 2011 to date, NIEA investigated five pollution incidents.  Four of the incidents were caused by oil discharging to the river and one was caused by a sewage discharge. All the incidents were categorised as low severity.

“Regarding the report of pollution today, a NIEA officer was on site yesterday following a report of oil in the Glasswater River. The NIEA officer observed a slight sheen of oil in the Glasswater River. The officer did not deploy any oil retention booms as the river flow was too high and the amount of oil too little to justify the deployment of a boom. Investigations are ongoing as to the source of the oil.”

An oily film can be clearly seen just below the new storm drain at the Glasswater River in Crossgar.