Water Pollution

Under the terms of the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 the Operations Team is responsible for taking action to prevent or minimise the effects of polluting discharges made to our waterways and for instigating enforcement action where appropriate. The team is split into three distinct units:

1. Pollution Prevention

To prevent incidents from occurring or minimise the effect of pollution on the environment, the Pollution Prevention Team aims to educate the public and industry, offer pollution prevention advice and promote good environmental practices.

Read more about Pollution Prevention.

2. Pollution Response

If a pollution incident is reported to us or is discovered in the course of our work, then the Pollution Response Team aims to locate and stop the source of the pollution, identify the polluter and if appropriate, collect sufficient evidence to secure a prosecution.

Read more about Pollution Response.

3. Enforcement & Prosecution

Where the source of pollution can be traced, the Enforcement Team decides on the appropriate course of action to take. This may include an enforcement notice or instigation of prosecution proceedings under the terms of the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999.

Read more about Enforcement and Prosecution.

Water Pollution Management

For the purpose of water pollution management, Northern Ireland has been divided into nine areas. Each of the nine areas is staffed by an Environmental Health (Rivers) Officer (EHRO) or Senior Water Quality Inspector (SWQI) and a number of Water Quality Inspectors (WQIs) who act as field agents on our behalf. The Fisheries Conservancy Board (FCB) and the Loughs Agency (LA) also undertake pollution investigation and collect evidence on behalf of NIEA for use in Water Order prosecution cases.

Read more about Field Staff.

Remember that it is an offence to cause pollution, either deliberately or accidentally. In addition to any fine a court may impose, a person found guilty of causing pollution:

• May have to pay for analysis and court costs
• May be liable for the cost of clean-up operations, which can easily run into tens of thousands of pounds
• May have to pay compensation to angling clubs if a fish kill occurs.
• Finally, the negative publicity accompanying a pollution incident will often damage a company's image due to society's increasing environmental awareness.