Play your part in preventing water pollution and remember, only rain down the drain!

Everyone in Northern Ireland has a part to play in preventing water pollution by considering how our own activities impact on the water environment. 

Freshwater is one of our most important natural resources for drinking, farming, business, leisure and biodiversity. It’s important that we look after our environment for future generations to enjoy. 

What we do in our homes and businesses can affect our local water quality and there are simple steps which the Northern Ireland Environment Agency would like to share that we can all take to make a positive contribution.

Stop and think – not down the sink

• No oil, fat or grease down the sink or drain
• Don’t scrape food into the sink
• Don’t use boiling water to dissolve fat and grease.

Know your drains and prevent misconnections

• Check your plumbing to make sure your wastewater (including from appliances) is going to the right drains. Incorrect plumbing can cause pollution. 
• Only rain should go down your outside surface drains!

Ensure correct disposal of chemicals, paints, fats and oils

• Don’t pour waste fats, oils and grease down drains or into sewers  - find out more about this at Fats, Oil And Grease (FOG) - Northern Ireland Water.
• Dispose of chemicals, paints and used cooking oil at household waste recycling centres.

Look after your septic tank to keep it healthy

• Make sure it’s properly serviced.
• You need a consent from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. You can search the Domestic Consent Public Register to check if your property has a consent (all domestic consents and maps for consents granted from 1992 to present are available to download). 
• If your property does not have a Domestic Consent, you can apply online at Welcome | Domestic Consents | Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland.
• Get it emptied regularly – Northern Ireland Water provide a free desludging service (once every 12 months, provided service conditions are met) 
• Use household cleaning products sparingly and choose environmentally friendly options. Excessive use of bleach and detergents kills off the bugs in a septic tank which are needed to break down waste effectively. 

Car wash care

• Preferably wash your car at a dedicated facility, but if washing at home, make sure that soapy water doesn't go into storm drains that lead to rivers.

Prevent litter

• Litter can get washed into storm drains and directly into our waterways harming wildlife, including birds and fish and decreasing the oxygen levels in the water when it decays. 

Limit chemical and pesticide use and disposal

• Never allow entry of chemicals or pesticides into any water system including drains, sinks, toilets, waterways, ditches
• Don’t put chemicals or pesticides in your bin unless the label says you can
• Don’t put chemicals or pesticides on a garden bonfire.

Don’t flush it, bag it and bin it

• Only the 3 Ps – pee, poo and paper should go down the toilet – any other waste (such as sanitary items, nappies, wipes, cotton buds) can cause blockages, and should be bagged and binned hygienically. Find out more at Bag it And Bin it - Northern Ireland Water.

Water pollution can be costly to your pocket as well as the environment

It is a criminal offence to cause water pollution, whether accidentally or deliberately, and can result in a fine of up to £20,000, up to three months’ prison sentence and significant clean-up costs.

If you see any water pollution, which requires urgent action, you should call the NIEA Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60. To report an incident that doesn’t require immediate attention, you can email emergency-pollution@daera-ni.gov.uk.