Ballygowan Farmer Fined £5000 For Pollluting River

The Inspector returned on 20th May 2009 to the waterway at Ravara Road, Ballygowan, and observed the operator of a tractor towing a sludgigator,  and discharging a liquid from the sludgigator onto the manure heap. This liquid was then running off the heap, flowing down the laneway and entering the waterway. On 22nd May 2009 the Inspector then made a further visit to the area and observed that the liquid around the manure heap was flowing down the laneway and entering the waterway. At one point on the laneway the flowing liquid was approximately eight inches deep. A sample taken on 22nd May 2009 confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter which was potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving waterway.]]>