There is to be an appeal after a heavy fine was imposed on NI Water following pollution.

A pollution incident at Laurelvale Sewage Pumping Station back in October 2008 left the official utility provider NI Water out-of-pocket.

However, NI Water has said the £15,000 fine "does not reflect the nature of the incident" and has confirmed it will be appealing the decision.

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A spokesperson said: "The incident at Laurelvale Sewage Pumping Station occurred when an alarm failed to go off at the station.

"NI Water takes any issue of pollution extremely seriously and has taken steps to ensure a similar incident at Laurelvale Sewage Pumping Station does not happen again. This incident was a low environmental impact as no fish were killed.

"NI Water is also tackling serious long term underinvestment in this and other water infrastructure across Northern Ireland. When this investment programme is complete, such incidents will become less common.

"NI Water cooperated fully with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency throughout this process. NI Water will be appealing this decision."

(NS/BMcC)