Why We Wrote to NIEA

As part of our ongoing advocacy for the environment, the Quarterlands Group recently wrote to Dr. Theresa Kearney of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). This letter builds upon her initial response to our earlier concerns and highlights pressing issues surrounding the Drumbeg Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) and its impact on local waterways.

We wrote this letter because of alarming data and observations about sewage overspills, regulatory compliance, and the capacity of wastewater treatment systems in our area. The contents of our letter focus on holding NIEA and NI Water accountable for their roles in safeguarding our water systems and the broader environment.

Table of Contents

Key Points in the Letter

Sewage Discharges and Environmental Impact
Recent data indicates that NI Water has been breaching Water Framework Directive regulations, with untreated sewage entering waterways, including Belfast Lough. NIEA’s regulatory measures appear inadequate to address this crisis, and we’ve asked for clarity on actions taken to reduce these breaches.
Drumbeg WwTW’s Capacity and Monitoring
- Contradictory Data: NI Water has adjusted population estimates served by Drumbeg WwTW multiple times, leading to conflicting reports about its capacity.
- Limited Monitoring: Despite instructions for enhanced monitoring, only 132 Event Duration Monitors (EDMs) were operational across Northern Ireland in 2023, covering just 5.4% of the 2,444 sites that potentially require monitoring.
Pollution Statistics
Current reports show 3,751 recorded sewage spills from monitored sites in a single year, equating to over 20,000 hours of pollution. If similar patterns exist at unmonitored sites, the scale of sewage spilling into waterways could be catastrophic, potentially filling Olympic-sized swimming pools thousands of times over each year.
Population Data and Development Impact
Drumbeg WwTW is being assessed using outdated population statistics, ignoring census data from 2021. The recalculated figures suggest discrepancies in the facility’s capacity assessments, which directly affect planning decisions for local developments.
Call for Accountability
We’ve asked NIEA to clarify:
- What steps are being taken to prevent regulatory breaches?
- How will monitoring and data collection improve?
- What actions will hold NI Water accountable for its environmental impact?

The Bigger Picture: A River of Neglect

Imagine you’re filling up a bathtub, but instead of plugging the drain, you leave it wide open, letting water spill out everywhere. This is what’s happening across Northern Ireland with untreated sewage. Of the 2,444 wastewater treatment sites in the region, only 132 currently have monitors (called Event Duration Monitors, or EDMs) to track spills. That’s just 5.4%, leaving 94.6% of sites unchecked. It’s like trying to fix a leaky bucket but only plugging one of twenty holes.

From the monitored sites, we already know that 3,751 spills released over 20,000 hours’ worth of sewage last year. If this trend applies to the unmonitored 94.6% of sites, we could be looking at tens of millions of liters of raw or partially treated sewage flooding into rivers, lakes, and the sea. It’s enough to fill Olympic-sized swimming pools multiple times over each year.

This is why we need urgent action to monitor all sites, reduce spills, and protect our environment. Every delay adds to the invisible river of waste polluting our water and damaging ecosystems.