New pledge over village smell

19/12/2007

LONG-SUFFERING residents from East Howdon have met Northumbria Water officials to discuss plans for eradicating smells produced by Howdon sewage treatment works.

Representatives of residents from Percy Main and East Howdon, along with Coun Frank Lott, were invited to the sewage treatment works last week to discuss the future of the plant.

Lynda Whitworth, chairperson of the East Howdon residents' association, said: "They said they were gradually reducing the odour for 2011."

Despite Northumbria Water inviting residents' representatives along to see what the company is doing to tackle the smell being produced by the site, Ms Whitworth told the News Guardian that residents were still considering legal action against Northumbria Water.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Water said: "Howdon sewage treatment works is managed in line with the code of practice set by DEFRA and North Tyneside Council monitor the site to make sure that it complies with that code."

Ms Whitworth wants Northumbria Water to adopt the International Panel on Pollution Control's standard on sewage treatment which has much more stringent guidelines on odour control than the DEFRA code. Ms Whitworth argues that the DEFRA standard isn't high enough.

She added that the relationship between Northumbria Water and the residents had shown no signs of improvement, something which Northumbria Water hoped the meeting would address.

"We talk to all stakeholders, including local residents and when we have something to tell them we do.

"We set up this recent meeting and invited them and the ward councillors to our site. Historically, we have produced newsletters, letters and have meetings.

"It was at this latest meeting we reiterated that we intend to keep them informed of progress," the spokesperson added.

"We have spent millions on improving Howdon sewage treatment works over many years.

"It is now one of the most sophisticated for odour control in the country. We have made those improvements and will spend many more millions on improving the site."

The full article contains 326 words and appears in n/a newspaper.Last Updated: 19 December 2007 3:08 PM

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