Odour problems in Westerleigh village this week

Claire Young has received a high number of complaints about a bad odour in Westerleigh village this week. On Wednesday she experienced it for herself and was able to confirm that it was the same as the one when she accompanied Penny Gadd of the Environment Agency on an odour survey in the village one evening some weeks ago. As then, the source was identified as a failed effluent filter at the abattoir. Tulip took delivery of a complete new Carbon Filtration unit at 10.30 this morning and had installed it by 12.00. Tulip are monitoring closely and hope that will resolve the problem.

In preparation for the next meeting of the working group on 18th April, Wessex Water have installed monitoring equipment in six locations in the sewers and have already downloaded their first set of data for analysis. Claire has been in discussions with the South Glos drainage engineer. No problems have been found with the rain and foul water systems interacting, but during the investigation an officer spotted that tree roots were blocking the connection from the foul sewer to a vent column that is supposed to vent the sewer. Wessex Water have fixed this.

Investigations are ongoing into a problem on Westerleigh Road, where an overflowing cesspit has contaminated a ditch. This may have caused localised problems but is unlikely to cause odours down in the village. A blocked private drain connection has been fixed in Old Mill Close, but there continue to be complaints of a smell there and in other locations around the village. Please keep reporting your issues to Claire and the Parish Clerk, as well as to Wessex Water (0845 600 4 600) and Tulip (0117 957 1919) as appropriate.