Agenda item

An additional report was circulated detailing complaints made after the agenda had been published between 31 August and 13 September (attached).  The complaints report was noted.  More complaints had been received this year to date than the whole of 2015 or 2014 for the period up to 20 September 2014. 

There had been no scraper breakdowns since 21 July 2016.  The process at the site is fully automated so does not change and odours could be as a result of atmospheric conditions.

A resident advised that there had only been two weeks without any odours since the beginning of June.  There had been no problems over the last five days.   It was noted that the sludge barn was currently empty which may be a source of odour and there could be an opportunity to make improvements similar to the liming plant roof installation.

An odour survey had been completed at the beginning of August and a full report was expected by the end of September.  The survey is taken over a snapshot of 2 days only.

The Odour Survey carried out by Cornwall College in 2014 only recommended the planting of trees.

The spray curtain reported at the last meeting had been installed and ‘sea breeze’ was the preferred odour spray.  More than double the budget for odour control works had been spent at the site this year.

The site needed to demonstrate they have used the best practical means to minimise any odour taking into account conditions and financial implications.

With regards capacity on site, SWW have no influence on planning applications as they are not a statutory consultee.  The Chair and Simon Ruddy would arrange to meet with Exeter City Council Planning Department to discuss.

Residents were of the general opinion that odours had worsened since the development of the Rydons, although the pumping station issues reported to previous meetings had now been resolved. 

Reference was also made to issues with the failure of the pumping station at Reed Walk.  This station will not be adopted by SWW as the permissions were not available to connect to the SWW system and any pumps built before a specific date cannot be adopted.  However, it does need to be maintained and Exeter City Council Housing Department had been advised.

As only a few houses were occupied in the first Phase of Seabrook Orchards, there is a need for the pump station to operate at a lower level until all houses were occupied.  At present, the sewage is being removed by tanker as the site had not yet been connected to the SWW system.

The new Aldi development would have its own treatment plant which would be discharged to ground with a treated soak away under the car park.  This would require desludging once a year.

Following approaches by residents, it was requested that any SWW staff or contractors checking manholes in Countess Wear playing field could identify themselves as concerns had been raised that these were being lifted by youths and not replaced correctly which could become a source of odour.