Pebsham Pong II - this time it's sewage

This time it wasn't fallout from the Reprotech plant or nasty whiffs from the landfill site, but yet more 'teething problems' with the new Southern Water Waste Treatment works.

Pesbham councillor Peter Fairhurst says residents are reaching the end of their tether with the constant foul odours and will be seeking council tax and water rates compensation.

The supposed 'odour-free' plant experienced two operational problems lasting throughout the bank holiday weekend and up to Wednesday morning.

Concerned residents were promised by Southern Water that there would be no smell from the plant when the idea first came about due to a sophisticated odour-control system.

But the problems this weekend were just the latest in a series of operational setbacks which have allowed sewage smells to escape.

A Southern water spokeswoman explained: "There were two separate problems this week.

"The first occurred over the weekend when it was discovered one of the pumps was not working correctly.

"The second happened overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. We discovered it was a problem with a valve and both issues have now been rectified."We apologise to residents for the few teething problems we have had in commissioning the plant."

But that cut no ice with Cllr Fairhurst, who added: "People are going to be looking for compensation in their council tax and water rates. Why should they have to pay them when they have to endure this?

"It's ruined the weekend for a lot of residents who found they couldn't open the window or sit in the garden because of the awful smell.

"The promises of Southern Water that there would be no smell once again ring hollow."

"People even reported the smell driving along the A259."

p Anyone requiring more information can contact the Southern Water customer services hotline on 0845 27 80 845.