Northern Ireland firm makes wastewater plea

A major water supplier in Northern Ireland has called on the general public to aid wastewater treatment by being more careful with what they flush down the toilet.

Bosses at NI Water spoke out after being found guilty of damaging water quality in Antrim.

The charge related to an incident of pollution in May 2010 at the Masserene Sewage Pumping Station and the firm was fined £2,000.

However, the company has suggested the breach was caused by "inappropriate items" blocking the pumps at the station.

A spokesperson for the provider declared recent investment into wastewater treatment would make such events less likely in the future, but still urged residents not to dispose of sanitary items, cotton wool or nappies via their toilet.

"The advice is simple, only toilet roll and human waste should be flushed down the toilet, for everything else - bag it and bin it, don't flush it," the spokesperson remarked.

NI Water has also moved to reassure natives that the recent spate of fires in the country has not had an adverse impact on water quality.

Posted by Lauren Steadman