Stench row blows up
This ongoing battle down at Seafield continues. Leith Links Community Council said it had 37 reports about the smell from Seafield in just the first half of April.
Scottish Water and Veolia are investing millions in the improvements which should mean a reduction in the smell around the area but work is not yet started, and it is claimed it will not get rid of it completely.
The Seafield sewage plant treats sewage from as far away as Penicuik. In response to a recent incident, Bill Elliot, Stakeholder Development Manager, Scottish Water, wrote to local residents to apologise. He said: "Veolia began essential maintenance of the storm tanks at Seafield at the start of the current lockdown period. This work was paused as a result of a change in weather conditions and, in consultation with regulators, it was agreed that it would be sensible to complete the remaining essential maintenance at the earliest opportunity.
"In order to mitigate the odour risk that continues until this maintenance is complete, we will take further operational measures including using chemical dosing in order to help minimise the issue."
Jim Scanlon, Chair of Leith Links CC, explained what is meant by the Seafield Stench. He said:
"This is a strong smell of sewage which emanates from the works at Seafield when there's an onshore wind. There are uncovered areas of the plant and primary settlement tanks and storm tanks. If the sewage arrives on the plant and becomes septic by connecting with air, then it gives off an odour of sewage, which is very strong to put it politely.
"It's strange because there's a kind of smell mapping. So residents in certain areas such as Leith Links may not smell it, but people who live at Prospect Bank just slightly higher up, are affected. So it depends on weather conditions, and if there is an onshore wind, then it will blow the smell from the plant and affect a lot of households. And it's disgusting.”
Leith Links Residents Association have been campaigning about the stench coming from the plant. Although there has been some action and things have generally been improving, over the last couple of years there have still been significant smelly periods.
Scottish Water have now announced a multi-million pound project to make general improvements, but the problem is that it would take hundreds of millions to make the sewage works fit for purpose according to Mr Scanlon.