Archived press release

Water Service Chief Executive: what's in her in-tray?

9 December 2003

Friends of the Earth welcomed Mrs Katharine Bryan to the post of Water Service Chief Executive. Pollution campaigner, Lisa Fagan commented:

"Mrs Bryan's environmental background [1] suggests that she will be a modernising influence in Water Service and we are delighted to learn of her appointment. Doubtless she will be disgusted to learn that the organisation she joins is pumping raw sewage into coastal waters at Portrush, Larne and Bangor and will want to remedy the situation quickly."

Ms Fagan explained that Mrs Bryan's appointment coincides both with sweeping reform of Northern Ireland's water industry and a huge programme of investment in new sewage infrastructure:

"In the spring, Friends of the Earth made a complaint to the European Commission about Water Service failure to comply with European sewage pollution law [2]. Our complaint could result in Europe imposing enormous daily fines on Northern Ireland and, in response to he threat of fines, Water Service has put in place an ambitious programme of investment in new sewage works."

Friends of the Earth remains concerned, however, that Water Service is not legally bound to adhere to its construction timetable: Water Service insists it is not accountable to Northern Ireland's pollution watchdog, Environment and Heritage Service (EHS).

"As the region's biggest polluter, Water Service must enter into a legally binding agreement with EHS which would see sanctions imposed if new sewage investment was not delivered on time. Mrs Bryan's experience with the Environment Agency, England's pollution watchdog, suggests she understands the need for robust regulation and we are hopeful of progress in this important area."

Notes

[1] (back) Katharine Byran is a former senior member of staff at the Environment Agency in England and until recently was chair of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Government's wildlife advisory body. For further information see DRD press release of 5 December 2003.

[2] (back) The EC Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. Friends of the Earth's complaint can be found here.

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Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland
7 Donegall Street Place
BELFAST
BT1 2FN
Tel: 028 9023 3488
Fax: 028 9024 7556
Email: foe-ni@foe.co.uk.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust