Sludge Watch ==> UK - Hundreds raise stink over smell of sludge

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

Sludgewatch Admin:

Sewage Sludge ...'natural fertilizer'?  Not.

................................................................................................................

Royston and Buntingford Mercury



Hundreds raise a stink over smell of sewage

MORE than 500 residents of the Burns Road estate have signed a petition 
protesting about unpleasant smells in Royston.

The smell of human excrement wafts in from surrounding fields, where it is 
used as a natural fertiliser.

But the hot weather has worsened the stench and North Herts Council has been 
inundated with phone calls complaining about the pong.

The council received a petition containing 580 signatures at its meeting 
last Wednesday, which was collected and presented by Ronald Hutchings, of 
Eliot Road.

Mr Hutchings, who has carefully monitored the level of the stink over recent 
years, said: "The smell has got worse and more frequent over the last few 
years.

"The environmental health department have claimed they have no jurisdiction 
over this and it's down to the utility companies.

"I've collected this petition on behalf of myself and other residents 
because it's our human right to breathe clean air once again."

The council issued a warning in June to tell residents to expect the 
offensive smell, which comes from treated sewage sludge delivered to farms 
and spread on land as fertiliser.

The district council has also told farmers to adhere to Government 
guidelines stipulating that fields treated with the sludge must be ploughed 
within 24 hours.

At the council's Royston and district area committee meeting last Wednesday, 
Cllr Fiona Hill (Con, Heath) agreed that the smell was unpleasant, but 
reminded people that it was a consequence of living in a rural area.

Cllr Hill said: "I've received a lot of complaints about this issue — it's 
difficult to know exactly where the smell is coming from.

"I think more people have been complaining about it because of the hot 
weather. They have been spending more time in their gardens and also have 
doors and windows open."

North Herts Council said that smells from the sewage treatment works and 
from sewage sludge fertiliser were being carefully monitored.

The spokesman said that people with complaints should keep them informed and 
record the times and dates when they are offended by the smell.

*Â Landowners seeking further advice on this issue should contact the 
council's environmental health team on 01462 474328.

shippt at hertsessexnews.co.uk