Public asked to report water pollution

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is asking members of the public to be vigilant and report incidents of water pollution.

It’s after figures were released showing incidents rose from 24 in 2012 to 28 last year.

The Environmental Protection Unit says 27 were minor while one was significant, with widespread effects on water quality and aquatic life.

Cases involving mud and silt from fields, building sites or quarries leapt from one in 2012 to eight in 2013, and it’s the second year in a row pollution incidents have gone up.

The department’s encouraging people to contact the EPU immediately if they see water pollution.