ONE of the North’s leading water companies dealt with over 800 sewer blockages last year as concerns are raised over how the waterways and its contents could be affecting public health.
NI Water revealed there were 831 sewer blockages in Fermanagh in 2024, with a massive 419 cases reported in the BT74 area in Enniskillen, the worst offending area in the county.
Further analysis has revealed that there almost another 400 sewer blockages in Enniskillen, with 155 in the BT92 area and another 132 incidents reported in the BT94 area in the county town.
Enniskillen residents were recently left outraged after raw human waste and discarded intimate items were spotted floating in the water, highlighting the major issue that’s ongoing locally.
Head of Environmental Regulation at NI Water, Angela Halpenny, recognises the worrying issue.
“NI Water fights a daily battle with blocked sewers,” explained Ms Halpenny.
“This often increases in frequency over holiday periods when people are spending more time at home or may be cooking up traditional roasts and enjoying home baking.”
Concerns have been raised that Fermanagh is being left behind in terms of water infrastructure and improvement to waterways. NI Water insists that local residents have a key role to play.
“It is very frustrating that many of these incidents could be prevented if we all worked together to stop using our sewers as a bin,” Ms Halpenny said.
“No amount of investment in our sewer system will stop blocked pipes if people continue to flush wipes, including flushable, sanitary items and fats, oils and grease down the toilet or sink.
“Legally it is an offence for property owners to inappropriately flush such items,” she added.
To read more on this story see this week’s Fermanagh Herald. Can’t get to the shop to collect your copy? No problem! You can download a copy straight to your device by following this link… Subscribe to current edition