Odour nuisance - Sewage

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Last revised: 6 October 2008

Odour from sewage and sewage spreading

Why is sewage spread on farmland ?

99.9% of all material going through a sewage treatment works is water; the remaining 0.01% is solids that need to be disposed of. This can be achieved through disposal to landfill, incineration or use. Recycling this material to agricultural land as an agricultural fertiliser and soil conditioner is currently recognised as the Best Practicable Environmental Option in most circumstances, adding plant nutrients to enrich the soil, and is supported by the Government and the European Commission.

The material may be supplied in a variety of forms from highly processed heat treated dried granules to untreated sludge only suitable for use with industrial crops such as oil seed rape or hemp.

Can anything be done about the odour ?

We have been advised by Wessex Water that in the future any sludge recycled to land, both in Devizes and throughout the Wessex Water region will have to be treated to the 'conventional' standard according to the regulations. Complying to this standard will ensure that 99% of the pathogens (directly related to odour) will be destroyed and therefore will cause no risk to public health and minimum nuisance in terms of odour.

In Devizes the majority of 'cake' delivered to farms will be 'lime stabilised', increasing the PH to >11. This will destroy those bacteria that produce H2S gas, liberate most ammonia on site and destroy more than 99% of the pathogens as required. In addition to this it is Wessex Water's intention to fit odour control units to a small number of spreaders in the region - these will be used in the most sensitive areas to avoid odour and irritation to the public.

Can the odours from this spreading affect my health ?

The material spread is treated by composting, the process of which destroys micro-organisms to a defined standard.

Only after meeting this standard is the material allowed to be applied onto farmland and as, for this reason, it is not detrimental to human health.

The Health Protection Agency has confirmed that odours from agricultural spreading, including human sewage sludge do not present any health concerns other than nuisance.

Who permits / enforces the spreading ?

The Environment Agency and the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) enforce legislative controls concerning these matters. These are mainly enforced through the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 (As amended) and the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989, which are supported by a code of practice.

Both organisations have confirmed that the application of composted sewage sludge onto land is a legal agricultural practice.

The Regulations however state that all such materials that are untreated should be incorporated into the land “as soon as is reasonably practicable”

What powers do Kennet District Council have ?

Local authorities are not routinely consulted when applications for exemptions are received but the Environment Agency will take into account any representations submitted to them should the activity, once carried out, give rise to complaints.

The Environmental Health department does not have the power to stop such spreading taking place but can only request that all reasonable steps are taken, in conjunction with recognised Codes of Practice produced by DEFRA to ensure that any application of waste materials onto land is carried out in such a manner so as to minimise offensive odours.

Contacts

Environment Agency 08708 506 506 www.environment-agency.gov.uk (External link)

Environmental Health 01380 724911 kennet@kennet.gov.uk

DEFRA 08459 335577