Agenda item

(To receive a report which provides the Committee with an update on the Water Recycling Centres)

Consideration was given to a report which provided the Committee with a summary of the situation regarding odours from Ingoldmells, Spalding and Fishtoft Water Recycling Centres (previously Sewage Treatment Works).

The Committee received a joint verbal update from Paul Dimbleby (Tactical Support Manager, Anglian Water) and Brian Kane (Anglian Water), which provided the Committee with an update with regard to odours at each of the three premises below:-

Ingoldmells Water Recycling Centre

The Committee were advised that they had received nine odour complaints relating to Ingoldmells, and that no complaints had been received since August 2015.  The complaints received had been received from two properties, investigations had then identified that the source of the odours were localised issues in the sewer networks and not from the Water Recycling Centre. One of the properties was on a caravan site and the other was upstream from a section of sewer that had been prone to partial blockage with grease and fat discharge from local trade premises.  As a result Anglian Water had increased the frequency of cleaning this particular length of sewer and as a result had not received and further complaints.

The report also highlighted that Anglian Water had invested almost £1,000,000 at the Ingoldmells Recycling Centre and the Ingoldmells Sewerage Network.  Details relating to the works carried out were shown within the report presented.

It was also highlighted that community engagement had taken place and a resident's group odour meeting would be held later in the year.

Spalding Water Recycling Centre

It was reported that there had been six odour complaints relating to the Spalding Water Recycling Centre during 2015, (two in July, one in August, two in October and one in November).  The complaints had been reported by two nearby commercial properties.  The Committee were advised that the six complaints had been linked to Anglian Water having the temporary loss of one of their on-site chemical septicity treatments, or the increased sludge on-site as a result of high loads received from food traders which had increased production before Christmas.  The problems had been rectified within 24/48 hours.

The Committee noted that the Spalding Recycling Centre had during 2015 been running on a trial, which had involved mixing iron rich sludge from other water recycling centres with sludge produced on site at Spalding.  The trial had been successful in significantly reducing the amount of odorous sulphide gas released during sludge dewatering. It was reported that funding had now been obtained to install an iron dosing system on site.

In conclusion, the Committee was advised that Anglian water continued to review the location and volumes of chemical used in the light of samples results, of their odour monitoring and any customer complaints.  The Committee was advised that works had identified a location where the discharges from two factories had combined to rapidly produce septic conditions in the downstream sewers and ultimately at Spalding Water Recycling Centre.  It was hoped to address this issue by installing an additional nitrate dosing system at the Springfields pumping station.  This works was at an early stage and would require the purchase of additional land on which to site the chemical storage tank.

Fishtoft Water Recycling Centre

The Committee was advised that during the last twelve months Anglian Water had received a number of odour complaints from one property located to the south of the Fishtoft Water Recycling Centre.  As a result odour logging had taken place, but no odour was recorded or logged.  Anglian Water was now odour logging on site around the Water Recycling Centre to try and identify if any odours were being generated.  It was noted that regular communication was being maintained with the customer and the local Customer Liaison Manager.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following points:-

·         Trade waste with particular reference being made to the discharging of fat down the sewer.  It was noted that fat could be collected by a third party.  If fat was discharged then it should be collected by a fat trap on the premises.  Anglian Water did however work with trade premises with their 'Keeping Clear Programme'.  Some reference was also made to enforcement procedures.  The Committee were advised that Anglian Water did work alongside District Councils to sort issues out.  Some of the Committee felt it was important to keep a watching brief on issues and comment on applications so that proper measures can be put in place through planning conditions;

·         One member highlighted that as a resident of Spalding, the odour issue was not as obvious as it had been, and the purchase of the land for the chemical storage tank would help the issue further;

·         Some members of the Committee welcomed the positive professional response made by Anglian Water to the complaints highlighted in the report;

·         That Lincolnshire had the ability to work well with partner agencies.  Going forward this would be a bonus for Lincolnshire, as partnership working would be an important factor that would bring money into Lincolnshire;

·         The local member for Fishtoft highlighted to the Committee that there had been complaints made to the parish council relating to the storage of sewage cake.  The Committee were advised that some confusion had arisen and the complaints had been in respect of Boston Water Recycling Centre, rather than Fishtoft.  Another local Member informed the Committee that this had been an ongoing issue before 2013.  As a result, the Committee requested that a report on the Boston Water Recycling Centre and any other centre where complaints had been received within the last 12 months being presented to a future meeting of the Committee;

·         That consideration should be given to future residents meetings in Ingoldmells being held at appropriate times to fit in with the holiday season.  The Tactical Support Manager, Anglian Water advised that historically a follow up meeting was usually held in October; and

·         The committee were advised that sewage cake was a bi-product of sewage treatment works, which was used as a fertiliser, once it had been processed.  The cake was temporarily stored on site until it could be processed further at either Kings Lyn or Grimsby.  A request was made to the Anglian Water representative for a letter to be sent to Clerk of the Fishtoft Parish Council advising them that the issue was being investigated.

RESOLVED

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    That a further report be received to a future meeting of the Committee relating to all Water Recycling Centres who had received complaints over the last twelve months.  That an update also be received with regard to the position relating to the Boston Water Recycling Centre.