BY MARK McKELVEY
m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com
ONGOING sewage problems in the Brookmount Road area of Omagh were again highlighted this week as a concerned local resident reported to the UlsterHerald that raw sewage was again flowing into a nearby stream.
The same concerned local made the same complaint last summer but although he confessed that Water Service has looked at the problem, he insisted, "it hasn't been fixed, in fact it has got worse".
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, explained the situation faced by local residents, "It is really bad in heavy rain, with raw sewage constantly running into the stream behind Lammy Crescent. You can see a grey matter running in the water all the time, coming straight out of a pipe about two foot in diameter into the stream. It is clear to be seen, as well as smell."
He continued to explain he feels this is causing severe pollution and as this stream leads into the Strule, could be causing more problems elsewhere.
According to the resident there is also a manhole on the Brookmount road that overflows on days of heavy rain, with raw sewage, toilet roll and anything that is in the sewer running out along the road into a water gully and back into the same river.
He has even had to stop walking his dogs in that area, "I have had to stop taking my dogs down there as I am afraid of them being poisoned in the river as they are great water dogs that love jumping about in the stream before getting a good run out in the field behind. Now I have to keep them on the lead and walk them on the roads."
Chairman of Omagh Council Sean Begley has stated this problem has been ongoing for three years now, and is actually getting worse as the sewage infrastructure in that area of Omagh cannot cope with the subsequent housing developments over the years.
"There is a serious problem with the sewage system in that part of the town because the system is outdated and insufficient to cope with all the new building that is going on in that part of the town," said Cllr Begley.
"There needs to be new infrastructure put in as these type of incidents are happening far too often. I receive complaints from constituents on a regular basis about this at least once a month. Only six weeks ago one particular lady actually contacted me because sewage was actually backing up in her own house, which required the Water Service to come out to alleviate the problem.
"It is Water Service's responsibility and I have spoken to them without much success to date, but I will now be putting a serious lobby on them to actually find a lasting solution to this problem. People in that Brookmount area shouldn't have to endure these conditions — it is not acceptable."
Yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon a spokesperson for the Water Service conveyed said it is aware of the problem that exists in that area and is currently investigating the situation. Apologising for any inconvenience caused a spokesperson said it will report back when the cause of the problem is discovered.
