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Written question asked by Lady Hermon (Ulster Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 23 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 April 2005. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Monday, 4 April 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office;Water Service

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his Answer of 21st March, Official Report, 432 column 588W, on marine pollution, what constituted the failure of the screening plant at Briggs Rock, Orlock.
Answer

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2005, Official Report, 432 column 588W, on marine pollution, what constituted the failure of the screening plant at Briggs Rock, Orlock. [224255] Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question. Letter from Mrs. Katharine Bryan to Lady Hermon, dated 31 March 2005: You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question, pursuant to his Answer of 21 March, Official Report, column 588W, on marine pollution, about what constituted the failure of the screening plant at Briggs Rock, Orlock (224255). I have been asked to reply as the issue falls within my operational responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service. The screening plant at Briggs Rock originally comprised two automatic rotating screens which removed most solids and materials from the sewage before the effluent liquor was discharged to sea. Over the past two to three years, due to difficulties in sourcing replacement parts, the screens became increasingly difficult to maintain and repair, and more expensive to operate. The condition of the screens continued to deteriorate and they were removed in late 2004. As an interim measure, pending the provisions of a new automatic screening plant, the screens were replaced by fabricated bar screens. These screens have to be cleaned manually twice per day and are not as effective as the automatic rotating screens. Water Service regrets the pollution caused by the failure of this equipment and is currently taking forward a project to provide a new automatic screening plant. This is scheduled for completion by the end of this summer.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
432 c1299W;432 c1296W; 224255
Session
2004-05
Subjects
Pollution Sewage Seas and oceans Water treatment Orlock
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk