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Sewage spill in park caused by blocked pipe

BBC Sewage and mud is piled up alongside a path of trees. A red and white tape has been placed to keep the public away from affected areas.BBC
The blockage was caused by inappropriate materials being flushed into the sewage system, according to NI Water

A "major blockage" in a pipe was the cause of a sewage spill at a park in Bangor, Northern Ireland Water has said.

It was reported in Castle Park on 22 October and a clean operation has been ongoing.

"Teams have cleared most of the out-of-sewer flooding over the last few days and are due back on-site to remove the remaining effluent," NI Water said in a statement.

The blockage was caused by inappropriate materials being flushed into the sewage system, they added.

A white truck is parked along the road with orange barriers placed at the end.
NI Water say the clean up operation is ongoing

The public have been asked to keep away from the affected areas in the park.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, councillor Alistair Cathcart, said: “The spill was sizeable. There is an unpleasant smell and the ground remains wet and dirty.”

Members of the public reported a "really bad" odour and they have changed their usual walking routes.

Ryan Toner said: "I took video of it a few days ago and not much seems to have changed or improved since then. Lots of people are talking about it, especially parents who have been unable to use the park and parents whose children haven't been able to use the playing fields."

Suzie Stewart is wearing a light pink fleece and has long grey hair tied up. She is wearing dark framed glasses and is holding a blue and orange bone dog toy.
Suzie Stewart walks her dog regularly in the park but has stayed away

Suzie Stewart walks her dog regularly in the park but has stayed away.

She said: "We haven't been here in a few days because I had read about the sewage spill online. I was hoping it would be fixed by now but the smell is still really bad.

"I'm here today hoping to walk Lucy but I won't be able to walk the usual path, I hope they can get it sorted soon."

Alex Green said he is still using the park despite the smell but he hopes it will be fixed soon.

Councillor Barry McKee lives nearby the park.

He said: “The clean-up crew has got a considerable amount done but there is still obvious sludge left from where the impacted soil has been left. NI Water very much underestimated the clean-up required.”

Soil samples will need to be taken while the area remains cordoned off, according to the councillor.