Raw sewage posters at lough not official, says minister

Misleading posters warning of severe raw sewage contamination in Belfast Lough have not been issued by any official Stormont department, according to the Minister in charge of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera). The signs, which read "urgent public notice, Belfast Lough is highly contaminated with raw sewage", have been erected along the County Antrim coastline, instructing the public to avoid entering the water and to keep children and pets off the beaches. Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson noted on social media that the signs had been placed "at places along the shore line of Belfast Lough between Whiteabbey and Whitehead". Andrew Muir stated that neither Daera nor NI Water, which was informed of the signs on Monday, were responsible for the posters, admitting he did not know who had erected them. Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme, Muir addressed the underlying concerns that prompted the unauthorized signs, acknowledging that there was a "concern about raw sewage being pumped" into the lough. He emphasized the need for accurate public communication, stating: "We have designated bathing waters, for example in relation to Crawfordsburn and Helen's Bay, both myself and my sister will use that bathing spot," and adding, "So it's important if we are imparting information to the public it's accurate." Despite dismissing the posters as misleading, Muir affirmed his commitment to tackling water quality issues. In a statement, he described Belfast Lough as "much-loved by the communities who live beside it and is an essential habitat for local wildlife". He added: "Significant and long-term action is needed to reverse the damage done and see necessary water quality improvement," and stressed that "It is important that polluters are all held to account". Muir noted he has prioritised stronger regulation and enforcement, and is bringing forward new legislation aimed at strengthening fines and penalties for water pollution offences.