Action plan to tackle foul odours plaguing village

Yorkshire Water says both short-term and long-term measures are underway at a plant in Murton to prevent the stink in nearby Osbaldwick.

The water company has sought to reassure residents after further complaints about the smell were made at a parish council meeting during the heatwave in July.

The Press has reported several times previously how unpleasant odours from sewers were affecting residents in parts of the village, such as Meadowbeck Close.

Following the recent parish meeting, Osbaldwick councillor and parish chairman Mark Warters asked Yorkshire Water to investigate whether the ABP meat processing plant at Murton was continuing to treat its sewage discharge, as had previously been agreed with the water company.

An official responded saying ABP had informed Yorkshire Water that it was continuing as agreed to treat effluent with a “Nutriox” chemical which prevented it from turning septic and releasing odour.

He said the preferred long-term solution was to improve the quality and nature of the effluent entering the rising main, reducing the risk of odour being produced in the first instance.

“This can only be achieved by reviewing the limits within the consents to discharge held by companies using the private sewer,” he said.

“To achieve these limits and discharge a better quality effluent, ABP have installed significant waste water treatment equipment on their site.

“It is anticipated that this equipment will be commissioned and become operational within the next two months. Once operational, this along with continued “Nutriox” dosing, will hopefully prove to be an effective long term solution to any future odour issues.”

An ABP spokesman has said previously that it had an ‘excellent environmental record’ and was fully committed to working with all parties concerned to rectify the situation as quickly as possible. He said the situation was complicated somewhat by the fact that it shared a waste outlet with a neighbouring facility,