LOCAL MP Graham Stuart has issued a Press Release on the current odour problems from the Yorkshire Water Waste Water Treatment Works at Saltend:

“Last month a fire at Saltend Water Treatment Works destroyed one of the two odour control units at the site. Yorkshire Water has replaced the damaged unit with two smaller mobile units, which, having come into operation yesterday, offer full coverage over the whole plant. The situation is being monitored daily by Yorkshire Water, though high loads from the pea harvest, low flows, and the hot weather are expected to aggravate the smells.

“Even without the second odour control unit the smells can and should be contained. It is a great shame that this fire has come at a time when we need the odour control units the most; residents have again found themselves unable to sit out and enjoy their gardens due to the presence of vile smells.

“I have spoken to the Chief Executive of Yorkshire Water about the problem and told him that we do not want excuses but that they should do whatever it takes to protect people from the stink. I am also pressing East Riding of Yorkshire Council to consider financial penalties on Yorkshire Water if they do not satisfactorily reinstate effective odour control at the site.

“I have been reassured by Yorkshire Water that every reasonable measure has been taken to minimise the impact of unpleasant odours on local residents. I will continue to follow the situation and represent any constituents’ concerns if these changes do not lead to improvements.”

The Chief Executive of Yorkshire Water, Richard Flint, has stressed the company’s high-level expenditure to rectify the problem, “Our investments, including £3.5million on the old odour control unit, show that our duty as a neighbour has been put ahead of financial returns.”

East Riding of Yorkshire Councillor and Hedon Town Councillor, Mike Bryan, said, “If you smell a foul odour that you think might be from the Water Treatment Works then please call Yorkshire Water to complain on 0845 1 24 24 24 and also notify the Environmental Health Officer at East Riding of Yorkshire Council on 01482 396301 or via email pollution.control@eastriding.gov.uk.”

The tone of Graham Stuart’s Press Release is certainly re-assuring. Although residents will be further incensed by the recently released document ‘Money down the drain’ reviewed on HU12 Online, that has revealed that Yorkshire Water has made super profits for its private equity investors in recent years.

The £3.5m investment into odour control has clearly been affordable to Yorkshire Water! The demand from residents will surely be to use those super profits to ‘reinstate effective odour control’ at the site as quickly as possible!