Pea pong - odour misery!

YORKSHIRE WATER has written to customers in the vacinity of their Waste Water Treatment Works in Saltend to explain the background to the recent increase in odours from the site and to apologise for this.

Yorkshire Water spokesman and Community Engagement Manager Richard Sears explains that the increase in odours has resulted from the concentrated effluent produced from the seasonal pea harvest. The recent dry weather has further increased the concentration of the effluent and smells. 114 complaints from residents have been logged since 27th June 2011.

The company is investing £3.5 million in a new odour control unit which will be more capable of dealing with odorous material, however, Mr Sears says: "In the short term we are chemically dosing various parts of the treatment process and have stopped any non-essential operational activities on the site in order to lessen odours."

The politicians meanwhile have been attempting to address the recent problems. East Riding Councillor John Dennis states on the Hedon Blog that both he and Graham Stuart MP have been in touch with key officials from Yorkshire Water and the East Riding Council to explain and tackle the current incidents.

Councillor Dennis suggests that people continue to report odours: "My suggestion is that, when the smell arises again – particularly when it can effects your homes, can as many people as possible complain to Yorkshire Water telephone 0845 1 24 24 24 and East Riding Council on 01482 396301. The more complaints they have logged, the higher a priority it becomes."

A useful guide to reporting the smells has been published on the Hedon Blog.

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