Pressure on water regulator by MP helps Yorkshire Water to tackle smelly treatment works

Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, has met with the new Chief Executive of Yorkshire Water, Richard Flint to discuss plans for a new odour control unit at the Saltend water treatment works.

 Graham said: “While we all agreed there is no silver bullet to solving the problems of bad smells emanating from the works, it is important Yorkshire Water continues to work as hard as possible to minimise the effect on residents.

 “The company made a bid to the regulator Ofwat to be allowed to make the capital investment in the works and I supported that bid.

 “The latest odour control work is due to start at the plant following a scoping exercise to identify exactly what needs doing and is expected to be completed a few months later – I will, however, be keeping in touch with constituents in the area to see if that has worked and keeping the pressure on Yorkshire Water should it be needed.”

 He said: “The new odour control unit is, of course, just part of the solution. Following that there will need to be a constant high quality maintenance and management strategy in place to make sure there are procedures which keep smells to a minimum.”

 He added that the number of complaints lodged by members of the public this year was down on the previous year, but reminded people living in the area to make sure they continued to contact either Yorkshire Water or the East Riding of Yorkshire Council if they were affected by bad smells.

 “I welcome the fact that the number of complaints appears to be down, but it is important Yorkshire Water continue to work with the local community in tackling the problem,” added Graham.