Sewage plant in stink bombshell

A STINK is being kicked up yet again about the sickening stench which repeatedly emanates from the controversial sewage plant at Kinnegar in Holywood.

It is now claimed that there have been over 70 incidents during 2009 in which the foul smell from the shorefront Waste Water Treatment Works has engulfed the town.

And the man who has researched the figures released to him under environmental legislation says they show a ´shocking´ and ´appalling´ history of odour problems there.

North Down Alliance Party Chairman, Andrew Muir, said, "Kinnegar Sewage Plant is operated under contract by a third party on behalf of Northern Ireland Water. 

"My request to NI Water sought to establish when the contract for the plant had been broken in relation to odour emission limits.  

"NI Water has provided me with information under environmental legislation stating when odour emission standards have fallen below a set standard.

"NI Water has then penalised the contractor operating the plant by reducing the amount of money payable by NI Water.

"The information provided details on a systemic problem in relation to odour emissions from the sewage plant, peaking during the summer.

"During 2009 serious odour problems occurred at the plant on no fewer than 74 occasions during 63 days.

"The months of July, August and September were particularly bad with over 50 odour emission incidents."

Mr Muir said he accepted that waste water needed to be processed and properly treated before being safely released into the sea.