Belfast Lough is at risk due to failing wastewater infrastructure. This threatens water quality and the shellfish industry.
Lough Neagh has similar pollution issues too. It had major algae blooms recently that happened during the summer months.
NI Water stopped some upgrades last week for sewers and water plants because they lacked money from the Infrastructure Department.
Paddy Brow works for NI Water. He said stalling hurts Belfast Lough because mussels filter the water in the lough, which helps a lot. Replacing mussels would cost £50 million, which is how much Belfast’s plant upgrade needs. Operating costs rise by £1 million per year.
He stated the consequences are possibly huge. He also predicted water quality decline and shellfish industry collapse. Belfast needs investment now.
Reviews show Belfast Lough’s water is worse. Mussels used to produce 10,000 tonnes annually and provided key ecosystem services. Each mussel filters 18 liters each day.
Now it is down to 1,000 tonnes, and beds are becoming unacceptable. The shellfish industry is collapsing quickly, and reports show declining water quality. Losing the ecosystem service is costly.
The Belfast plant needs £50 million more without a shellfish population, and operational costs also rise drastically. That presents a major challenge because the plant’s cost will increase by a million yearly.
They must import methanol, which is carbon, and they will pay to meet higher standards. Belfast Lough is on a knife edge currently, so they must maintain and protect shellfish. Delaying investment creates a real problem.
David Reid leads the NIEA organization. He expressed concerns about Belfast Lough’s future and spoke to the committee too.
He said water quality is a concern there, a concern that echoes across Northern Ireland. It mirrors what all freshwater bodies experience. Current pollution is a worry.