Investigation and Detection
The Board carried out pollution investigations under the Water (NI) Order 1999 on behalf of the Environment & Heritage Service (EHS), an agency within the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. The Board also carries out pollution investigations under the Fisheries Act (NI) 1966 (as amended). Statistics quoted should not be interpreted as representative of all pollution incidents recorded within the Board’s area, as considerable numbers are also investigated by EHS’s network of Environmental Health (Rivers) Officers (EH(R) Os) and Water Quality Inspectors (WQI’s). The sources, trends and figures presented must be taken in context and relate only to the work of Board staff within the FCB area. From complaints of alleged pollution brought to the attention of Board staff for investigation in 2002, some 212 were substantiated. This represents a decrease in numbers compared to 2001 when 271 incidents proved positive.

Agricultural related pollution accounted for 200 incidents whereas non-agricultural related pollution accounted for 12 incidents. Agricultural incidents have decreased in relation to the 2001 figure, from 254 to 200. Non-agricultural pollution showed a reduction in numbers from 17 incidents in 2000 to 12 this year.