Smell/Odour - Long term issue

Spoken to council dept who have previous ly spoken to beofre about the issue of smell. No real progress or help.

Stil lbeing told to report in any instances of smell (IF IN 9-5 Mon to Fri hours!) - which it wont be as thats when i am not in the area as i work in Newport. Thus it will never get reported, as i suffer from the smell (As do all locals) on evenings and weekends (dependent on wind direction and the sewage sites operations).

I asked that if i was to report in the smeall and he was to observe it himself, whad would this then enable him to do. Response was....Not much. He will take info down but in his own words, not much more to be done as Welsh Water looking at doing more to fix issue or move the site.

This could be weeks, months or years away. So, the call gave me nothing in the way of progress, answers or chance things will improve anytime soon. Not sure what the point of the call was other than to say he called and is aware.

I challenged him on why no communication to tell immediate (within a few miles) residents of the problem and any plans/progress as saves us having to do all the chasing and feeling that nothing was happening. Answer - not worth spending the money on and they feel its best to "React" to residents complaints only.

All in all, a pointless call with nothing new to add or offer in way of help or reassurance. He repeated that Welsh water have spent lots on fixing it - but i said thats all very good but if it has not worked, how long do locals have to endure the smell until someone finally says this is not working and its time to impose restrictions or force swift action to try new remedies.

Do not see any other avenues to complain other than to make this more public and shame council and welsh water into action. Just like most other issues that Pengam is putting up with.

See update on this issue recently recieved. Inc my response to this. More to come as not resolved but seems like not much more will happen by council or welsh water...

Thank you for this You will see i have copied you into a response to the letter on the Gypsy sites locally. I have had limited useful conversations by telephone with the council on the smells issues at Welsh water sewage site. The coversation went along the lines of how they need to smell the smell to progress. I explained that i only smell the smell then i am home (Weekends, evenings). They are not able to work these hours and thus will never witness it. I did ask that if they smelt it in situ as proof, what would that allow them to do that they cant currently do. The response was a very honest but unhelpful "not much". He advised they had spent money on improvements, but i said that this had not worked and the rumours of them moving or making further investments to sort the issue had been long overdue and not progressed. And as with all the issues, the lack of communication about the issue and how it is being tackled or is known has been lacking. I do feel its an issue that immediate residents should be communicated on in some way, as this then reassures and reduces the need for these type of emails and time out to investigate by time pressed residents. So, it has been left that issue known and he can do no more and that no new dates for improvements or moving out by Welsh Water are known. So you can see why it feels like little progress is / has been made. But i thank you for your continued involvement. As for the outstanding issues on road surface, graffiti and steel work noise - Road surface team due to visit site to consider if they view it as an issue (no time or date given nor guarantee of action) Graffiti team due to clean road sign this week - no change yet Steel work noise is all for the EA to look into but no news on sound monitoring being installed locally to conclusively proof the issue for action to be taken or sped up. Surely this would be the quickest, easiest and fairest way to proceed? As opposed to calling them each night and them being able to bat back our personal subjective evidence of noise. The bus shelter is still in one piece but it would be good to see if they agree that replacing with a non-glass sheet is best given the cost of regular repair from vandalism. I have not recieved any responses from the local police, and since i have previously written emails to them and called them with no response, i am not expecting much this time. This then only leaves the issues of mopeds being riden on pavements and down backlanes at night and all weekend (even when a race track set up for these bikes exists so near by). This issue will reduce due to winter weather and low light, but am sure it will return in full effect come Spring. The website www.fixmystreet.com neatly holds/summarises these issues with maps and updates by me and others in the area on postcode CF24 2EF. I will keep the WAG contacts updated and hope for further comms from the police, council, EA and yourself in due course. With thanks once more PS - Mr Curtis - I will forward the emails i have received on the issues of gypsy travellers and smells from sewage plant. It would be good to know what residents do about the issues of industrial noise/pollution (smell etc) in Pengam - as although it should be expected given location - the level and timing (lots and often - inc all night and weekends) of these issues is beyond reasonable expectations and is not what mr fair and average would consider to be the norm or acceptable for such an area.

-----Original Message----- From: Cox, Gavin (Cllr) Sent: Tue, Nov 17, 2009 5:07 pm Subject: FW: industrial smells

Please find below the response received from Cardiff County Council this afternoon in relation to the industrial pollution issue you raised with me last week. I trust this eases your immediate concern. I am still awaiting a response from Cardiff Bus in relation to the bus shelters. Regards Gavin Cox Lib Dem Councillor Splott, Tremorfa & Pengam Green ------------------------------Sent: 17 November 2009 15:13 To: Cox, Gavin (Cllr) Subject: FW: industrial smells Dear Cllr Cox I refer to your email to Sean regarding industrial smells in the Splott, Tremorfa and Pengam Green areas of Cardiff. In all likelihood, the smells to which your constituents refer are airborne and emanate from the Sewage Sludge Drying Plant located at the Welsh Water Treatment Works, Tide Fields Road, Splott. Both Welsh Water and Cardiff Council are aware of the issues and in the recent past considerable investment has been made to try and abate the smells. Unfortunately, it has not been as successful as envisaged. As a consequence, Welsh Water are currently in the process of building an alternative sewage sludge treatment system which will mean the eventual closing down of the dryer and the cessation of the smells. In the interim period, there will be the occasional episodes, usually weather dependent, where smells are evident. Cardiff Council is in frequent contact with Welsh Water regarding these issues, and in response to your specific query, I have taken the opportunity to inform the management of your concerns. I would hope this will encourage them to investigate the situation further to see if any additional actions can be taken to reduce the odours. I trust the above answers your query but should you wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact either the case officer Simon Thayer on 02920 871894, or myself. Regards Will Will Lane Operational Manager - Environment

------------------------------ From: Cox, Gavin (Cllr) Sent: 10 November 2009 15:29 Subject: industrial smells Sean I’m receiving complaints of a foul odour which appears to be hanging over the estates of Splott, Tremorfa and Pengam Green. Residents tell me that this comes from the sewage works situated on Rover Way. Is there anything we can do as an Authority to stem the stench which now appears to be seeping through the drains by regulating the sewage works and investigating any potential leeks from other sources in the industrial area? It is getting quite intolerable. Thanks Gavin Gavin Cox Liberal Democrat Councillor Splott, Tremorfa & Pengam Green

Moved out of area and told by Welsh Water and authorities that issue not seen as big nor bad.

They state they have made efforts and investments to fix and that we are to call on 0800 tel no anytime we have issue to report for them to check - i got impression no action or change is due anytime soon.