Concern has been expressed that Belfast Lough could become “the new Lough Neagh” in the next 10 years.
Lough Neagh hit the headlines two years ago when noxious blooms of blue-green algae covered large parts of the lough and also affected other waterways and beaches in Northern Ireland.
The Stormont Executive recently launched an action plan to deal with the environmental situation at the lough.
Lough Neagh has been impacted by noxious blooms of blue-green algae (Niall Carson/PA)
In October, an NI Water report warned that Belfast Lough was exposed to raw sewage at times of heavy rainfall due to the state of water and sewage infrastructure.
The report described the need for investment in drainage and wastewater treatment as “critical”.
Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chamber put to Agriculture and Environment Minister Andrew Muir an assertion that Belfast Lough “has the potential to become the new Lough Neagh in the next 10 years”.
Mr Muir said he was “very aware” of the NI Water report, adding it “paints a very concerning picture for all of us”.
“I have reflected upon this issue. I have read the report,” he said.
“It is my strong view that if investment is not made quickly in wastewater infrastructure affecting Belfast Lough, I sadly feel that we are on course for Belfast Lough becoming our next Lough Neagh in terms of serious and substantial water quality breakdown.”
DUP MLA Stephen Dunne asked the minister what action was being taken to improve water quality in Belfast Lough.
Mr Muir responded: “We have a number of contributing factors in Belfast Lough. It’s largely in relation to wastewater infrastructure.
Stormont Agriculture and Environment Minister Andrew Muir was answering questions in the Northern Ireland Assembly (NI Assembly/PA)
“That’s something I continue to work with the Minister for Infrastructure on. I will continue to support his bids for funding in terms of NI Water, because we need to invest in that infrastructure so we can reduce the pollution around that.
“In Ballyholme for example, there is a piece of work being undertaken in conjunction with both my department and also NI Water, some research in terms of what the contributing factors are.”
Opposition Leader Matthew O’Toole said there “appeared to be a disconnect in terms of the lack of urgent action”, and claimed the Lough Neagh Action Plan was an “inaction plan”.
“What are you specifically doing in terms of working with the infrastructure minister and others to make sure that this is dealt with expeditiously and it isn’t simply about monitoring long-term plans and waffle with the greatest of respect,” he added.
Mr Muir said he “entirely refuted” it was an inaction plan.
“You’ll know that there’s many actions we’re delivering from that, they’re coming out on a regular basis, and that is welcome from the work that has been done by my officials, but also working in conjunction with others, particularly within the agricultural community, and we’re very much focused upon delivering that action plan, as we’ve been doing over the last number of weeks and months,” he said.
“In terms of working with the Minister of Infrastructure, I have a strong working relationship with him. This was recently discussed in terms of need to invest and wastewater infrastructure at our last Executive meeting, and it was agreed that we would have a specific discussion and a future Executive meeting around this.
“There is additional capital funding which has been allocated as a result of the Budget, which was announced last Wednesday, and it’s up to the Executive to make decisions in terms of how to spend that, but my strong desire is to ensure that we prioritise wastewater infrastructure for capital investment.”