Tunnel to resolve sewage pollution

The water level at the weir has been raised in recent years

A new six mile tunnel under Belfast is set to transform the River Lagan by solving a long standing problem of floating sewage following torrential rain.

The water level at the Lagan Weir has been raised in recent years and over £850m has been invested along its banks.

An antiquated sewer system means that heavy rainfall brings an overflow, and with it all sorts of rubbish, straight and un-treated into the river.

However, the new tunnel will ease the pressure on the current outdated system and will transport excess water and its associated pollution away from the river.

Engineer Tom Kerr explained how the project would work.

"At the minute, in storm water conditions, the existing combined system is relieved by a number of sewer overflows which deposit sewage into the Lagan and its tributaries.

There used to be swimming races on the river and there is no reason why that couldn't happen again if the river was cleaned up. Derek Booker Riverboat operator

"This new tunnel will allow us to close the major ones taking something like 85% of the current pollutant out of the Lagan and its tributaries."

Not only will the new tunnel collect all the extra rainwater and keep it out of the river.

It will also keep it from entering Belfast Lough as it will pass through a sewage treatment works before it reaches the sea.

Derek Booker, who runs a riverboat on the Lagan, welcomed the project.

"We are five years on the Lagan and really the changes are amazing, in the quality of the water and the fact that marine life is coming back.

Restaurant vessels

"We still have the annual problems of overflowing sewage which comes when we have really heavy rain.

"Sanitary towels and condoms come floating down the river and collect down near the weir, particularly around the pontoons where people are getting on the boats, and that is not an inviting sight.

"Most rivers suffer from this but it is something that has to be worked on."

However, Mr Booker said improving the water quality was only one way to promote the river.

"One thing we really feel the river needs is more life actually on it, more things happening," he said.

"The water sports centre do a great job on the river. They bring kids and adults out on all sorts of different craft.

"But we are looking at maybe restaurant vessels on the river. There used to be swimming races on the river and there is no reason why that couldn't happen again if the river was cleaned up."

Work on the new tunnel is due to begin in early 2005.