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Newry City Councillor Aidan Mathers has described flooding experienced by Derrybeg residents as utterly unacceptable. Raw sewage, wastewater and toilet paper were deposited onto residents' properties overnight, prompting Cllr Mathers to press NI Water for urgent action. A reader had contacted Newry.ie earlier this week citing the issue as something that happened "every other day".
Speaking on the issue earlier today Cllr Mathers said: "I am deeply concerned by the flooding experienced in the Derrybeg area last night, which resulted in raw sewage, wastewater and toilet paper being deposited onto residents properties. As soon as I became aware of this revolting flooding, I contacted NI Water to request immediate action. Recent heavy rainfall is no excuse for sewage flowing onto roads and people's property. Following my intervention, NI Water conducted a clean-up operation and will, today, survey the sewers to identify the cause and required preventative work."
Cllr Mathers continued: "This was an utterly unacceptable situation that posed serious risks to public health, causes significant distress to affected households and leaves residents facing the difficult task of cleaning and restoring their homes and gardens. Derrybeg residents deserve to live without the prospect of this ever happening again. I welcome the prompt response of NI Water to clear the area and investigate the cause of the flooding. I will keep the pressure on to make sure all necessary preventative works are carried out in good time. Those impacted deserve nothing less. As we head closer to the winter months we need to ensure that all drainage is fit to take expected rainwater safely into the system without causing flooding problems."
He added: "I will continue to engage with the relevant authorities to see the necessary work done to ensure this will not happen again. Residents need to have their concerns addressed as a matter of urgency."
