SEAFIELD SMELL WARNING from Scottish Water

Scottish Water said today –

“We have had a recent wet spell of weather and as a result rain filled the storm tanks at Seafield on a number of occasions.  When inlet flow conditions have allowed, in between rainfall events, Veolia has drained as much of the contents as possible.

Veolia continually assesses weather forecasts and has been minimising the contents of storm tanks in readiness for full draining and cleaning.  Cleaning starts Tuesday 11 June. Although the wind is forecast to be onshore conditions are due to be breezy and whilst the contents pose a lesser risk of generating odour, Veolia will seek to minimise odour emissions using all measures outlined in the site Odour Management Plan which may involve the application of odour reducing materials.  The work is scheduled to be completed by Wednesday 12 June. We will provide an update once the cleaning work has completed.”

What good is a warning? We can’t choose to switch off our noses!

The ‘odour reducing materials’ that they mention  mean applying chemicals  – usually potassium permanganate  – and sometimes the ‘antiseptic’smell of those chemicals can be just as offensive as the smell of sewage. There is also a risk of iodoform gas forming due to contact with sea water. Scottish Water says its not dangerous but other research says it is!

Seafield can’t cope with hot weather, it can’t cope with rain. Is it fit for purpose?

Your Community Council had another meeting this week with MSP Ben McPherson, who is writing again to Minister Rosanna Cunningham about the situation for local residents. It seems new investment is coming – but not nearly quickly enough.