Smelly Waterworks Under Review

Written by Cllr Jacquie Bell and published in Letter to Editor, East Lothian Courier, Published 3rd April 2009 on Fri 3rd Apr 2009

I refer to the letter from Dr John Rock of West Barns.

Since the smell from the works began a few weeks ago I have had concerned reports from local people (including Dr Rock) as well as smelling the foul pong myself. There is a thread on the Dunbar Community Website. Some people have reported that they have been physically sick due to the odour.

I have referred the matter to East Lothian Environmental Health who have been monitoring the situation by day and out of hours - I have most often smelled the odour on my way home in an evening. They are liasing with Scottish Water who run the facility.

The matter has been raised at both Dunbar and West Barns Community Councils. It has been reported in another local paper.

By chance Scottish Water sent out a Councillor Satisfaction Survey. I noted my dissatisfaction at the current service (and also a past issue in East Linton) and have had a response from Bill Elliot the Regional Community Manager.

He says that Scottish Water acknowledge the odour issue and that they are reviewing operational practices at the works. The running of each waste water treatment works is a delicate balance and the process is individual to each facility. The West Barns site is new and slight alterations are needed at this early stage.

He indicates that he has taken steps to pull together an internal working group to look at ways to resolve the issue. They are to meet this weekend and he has agreed to inform me of any decisions made.

He has offered to meet with me and the local Community Councils to discuss future operational plans.