Sewage treatment works and sewage pumping stations have the potential for causing odour issues.
During 2009/10, we received 288 complaints about this issue – 94 fewer than the previous year's total of 382. Many of these complaints were due to isolated events.
Our economic regulator, Ofwat, has approved proposals for additional odour control measures at nine of our sewage works. These measures will be installed over the next five years, significantly reducing the number of people affected by odour around these sites.
We have odour management plans at all our sewage works. Over the next five years, we will introduce such plans at all our sewage works and main sewage pumping stations, whether or not they have problems. This will ensure best operating practice, in line with government advice issued.
We currently work with local authorities and developers to identify proposed developments which could be affected by odour from our sewage works. In line with government recommendations, we will work with developers to carry out odour improvements where suitable and where a financial contribution is available.
At sewage works where major extensions or new processes are needed, our policy is to ensure that the odour impact of the extended works will not increase. Where our assessment shows there could be an increase in odours, we ensure there are additional control measures to remediate or offset these.
We have significantly reduced odours from Mogden Sewage Treatment Works, in west London, following the completing of work to cover tanks in 2008. Further improvements are expected following the recently completed extensions to treatment capacity on the east side of the site, which has reduced usage of the storm tanks, and when extensions to the west side are completed in 2013.
A study is under way, under the direction of a committee including representatives of the London Borough of Hounslow, which will identify if further opportunities exist to reduce odour levels.
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