Scottish Water & Veolia issue apology for Seafield stench

Leith Links Community Council has received 37 reports relating to odours from Seafield since 1 April 2020.

 

The community in the Leith Links area has been plagued for years by nuisance & intrusive foul odours from Seafield however, earlier this year it was announced that a multi million pound investment in the Seafield site would likely lead to a reduction in the amount of foul odours affecting our community.

 

Members of our community have been using our website to tell us, local politicians and the authorities how their quality of life has been impacted, some examples are;

 

It made it difficult to breathe and I felt nauseous. Had to close our windows.

 

Had to come in from garden, one of few pleasures in lockdown.

 

Couldn’t exercise and ruined our only time outdoors during the lockdown had to close windows and couldn’t even stand to be in our own garden.

 

It made me feel sick.

In response to recent complaints, followed up by Leith Links Community Council, an apology was issued by Bill Elliot, Stakeholder Development Manager (Scotland), Scottish Water on 15 April 2020.

 

Dear Seafield Stakeholders,

 

 

We have received an increase in odour complaints in the Seafield area recently and Scottish Water and Veolia apologise for this.

 

 

Veolia began essential maintenance of the storm tanks at Seafield WWTW at the start of the current lockdown period. This work was paused as a result of a change in weather conditions and, in consultation with regulators, it was agreed that it would be sensible to complete the remaining essential maintenance at the earliest opportunity.

 

 

In order to mitigate the odour risk that continues until this maintenance is complete, we will take further operational measures over the coming days – including using chemical dosing – in order to help minimise the issue.

 

 

Please be assured we will have this resolved as quickly as possible and we will update stakeholders when this work will be carried out and completed.

 

We thank our customers for their patience.