The farmers had discharged effluent into nearby water supplies
FOUR LOCAL farmers have been found guilty of pollution by discharging effluent into nearby water supplies. In the cases heard at Enniskillen Magistrates Court the four men received fines totalling £3,000.
Mr Wilfred Bothwell (63), of Tullyweel, Fivemiletown was fined £1,000 after Water Quality Inspectors, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency inspected a tributary at the Ramult Burn near the Creeve Road at Tullyweel.
The prosecutor explained that on January 17 2013 a large amount of sewage fungus was observed in the waterway down stream from the farm, but upstream was clear. Further investigation revealed that a discharge of silage effluent was being made from the farm premises of Mr Bothwell to the waterway via a drainage pipe. Some two kilometres of waterway was adversely affected by this polluting discharge that contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter potentially harmful to fish life. The farmer has since spent 30 to £50,000 in cleaning the polluted water supply with a digger and creating additional storage capacity for slurry to prevent any further discharge.
Mr Ivor Little (50) and Mr Edwin Little (48), both of Ida Grove, Cultiagh, Lisbellaw were fined £500 each for making a polluting discharge to a nearby waterway.
The prosecutor explained on January 7 2013, a Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, inspected a stream at Mulrod, Tamlaght and found it to contain an extensive growth of sewage fungus. Some 1000 metres of waterway was adversely affected. Further investigation revealed that a slurry lagoon at nearby farm premises was overflowing, and this effluent was discharging to the waterway. The farm premises are owned by Edwin Little and operated by Mr Ivor Little. A sample taken confirmed the water contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter which was potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving waterway. The defence noted that the slurry tanks were no longer in use.
Darren McCormick (35)of Greenhill Road, Brookeborough, Ardmore was also fined a total of £1,000 for polluting the water supply at a tributary of the Colebrooke Rover, found to contain an extensive growth of sewage fungus. The prosecutor explained that on January 3, 2013 a field drain was found to be discharging to the waterway; this field drain was receiving agricultural effluent from the farm premises of Mr McCormick through a pipe. Some 1,300 metres of waterway was adversely affected. The sample taken of the water again indicated the discharge contained poisonous, noxious or polluting material.
District Judge Nigel Broderick noted these were serious matters, but acknowledged that steps had been taken by the offending parties to ensure no repetition. In mitigation the defence highlighted the difficult weather conditions in January as a factor.
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