YORKSHIRE Water has issued an apology to residents after a stench that plagued them for a decade returned.
Engineers have been battling against the clock to ensure a major fire at the water treatment plant in Saltend did not result in the return of a stench.
However, following the start of the pea season, Yorkshire Water has received a dozen complaints from residents about the smell.
Yorkshire Water spokesman Matt Thompson said: "In the week following the fire, we successfully diverted some of the odours that were previously fed through the now defunct smaller unit, to the larger £3.5m unit, which continues to perform well.
"As a temporary measure, we also brought in two mobile odour control units.
"These mobile units mitigate the loss of our smaller unit in the short-term and ensure we have the same capacity to control odours around the site as we did prior to the fire. Prior to Tuesday, July 16, certain parts of the site were not fully odour-controlled and, consequently, given the very warm weather conditions, there have been occasions when we've detected an increase in odours, which we'd like to apologise for."
The site, which opened in 2000, processes 40 million gallons of sewage and industrial waste every day.
In a bid to reduce the smell from the site, Yorkshire Water is also operating odour-masking sprays around the site and a regular programme of ferric dosing is further helping us to control any odours around the plant.
Councillor John Dennis, ward member for south west Holderness and deputy mayor for Hedon Town Council, said: "Whilst there have been some real pongs from the Saltend waste water treatment works over the past two or three weeks, the fact they had one of the odour control units destroyed by fire, just as the dreaded pea season got underway, didn't help at all.
"That can only be down to bad luck for them, and for local residents.
"To their credit, however, Yorkshire Water leapt into action straightaway and we can only hope the work they did will remove those smells without further delay."
Thousands of Holderness residents have previously complained about the smells from the plant, saying it had made their lives a misery for a decade.
However, in December 2011, a £3.5m odour-control unit was up and running.
Beverley and Holderness MP, Graham Stuart, said: "It is a great shame this fire has come at a time when we need the odour control units the most. Residents have, again, found themselves unable to sit out and enjoy their gardens due to the presence of vile smells.
"I have spoken to the chief executive of Yorkshire Water about the problem and told him we do not want excuses but that they should do whatever it takes to protect people from the stink. I am also pressing East Riding Council to consider financial penalties on Yorkshire Water if they do not satisfactorily reinstate effective odour control at the site.
"I have been reassured by Yorkshire Water that every reasonable measure has been taken to minimise the impact of unpleasant odours on local residents."
Anyone who smells a foul odour that they believe to be from the water treatment site in Saltend is asked to call Yorkshire Water 08451 242424.
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