North Queensferry residents kick up a stink over leaking sewage
Published 5 Aug 2010 09:30
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A PERSISTENT stench is getting up the noses of North Queensferry residents.
Residents along Pierhead are raising a stink over raw sewage that's spilled out by their properties and onto the beach, and there are concerns it could be causing health problems.
Rosyth councillor Pat Callaghan said the sewage was being pumped onto the beach behind the Albert Hotel, and the area across the hotel was also contaminated.
He said, "Apparently residents have complained of eye and throat infections, possibly caused by this as it's a problem they say they've been complaining about for years. I'm concerned about residents being needlessly put at risk for the want of a medium-sized repair.
"They've told me it's down to a pumping station that was put in 20 years ago.
"When it fails, everything backs up and raw sewage comes out onto the beach and into gardens. If a pump fails then the overflow system, just like in a domestic toilet, is supposed to kick in but that's obviously not the case here."
Resident John Taylor said, "It's been happening for 20 years.
"We've reported it to Fife Council, Scottish Water, Sepa (the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency), and even sent in a letter to our MP.
"It stinks to high heaven in warm weather. It's dried out but there's still evidence of it there. We have sewage at the back of the house, in the front across the road and it's coming out next to the little yard where we keep the boats.
"Sometimes when you work on the boats, the ropes are in the water and you get it on your hands."
Another resident, who did not want to be named, said, "It happens very often - one of my neighbours moved house because of it. I phoned environmental health and the guy said it was due to excess rain, but it happens whatever the reason.
"There are quite a few houses in this location and everybody gets the smell of it even if they don't get the sewage.
"It's a health hazard. The children are on holiday at the moment and they play on the beach. It could be quite nasty if they get cuts, infection could set in."
Scottish Water sent out engineers to repair the "malfunctioning" pumping station yesterday (Wednesday).
A spokesperson said, "The work will involve removing two large boulders from the well of the pumping station.
"These have been causing the pumps to malfunction and may have caused a small discharge from a nearby manhole cover."
Residents and businesses were urged to avoid fly-tipping foreign objects into the waste water network.
The spokesperson added, "Customers should also only flush toilet paper and sanitary items such as nappies, cotton buds and feminine hygiene products should be placed in a bag and disposed of with the normal household waste.
"When flushed, these items block our network and cause choked drains and cause pumping stations to malfunction.
"If local residents and businesses 'Bag It and Bin It' they can play a big part in reducing pollution risk."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Paddy O Doors
Unregistered User
Aug 5, 13:12
Report commentWhose been flushing large boulders down their shunky then?
Or does someone in North Queensferry have major constipation?
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Father Ted
Unregistered User
Aug 5, 16:37
Report commentThe residents could easily take responsibility and sort this out on their own.
Everybody recognises their own brand, so to speak - a wee wander round the affected area with a poop-a-scoop and a poly bag, and Bob's yer mum's special friend.
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shabba
Unregistered User
Aug 6, 07:27
Report commentCertainly pits a new slant on thon meaning o "Bricking it"
its like hud on, "im totally Bouldering it man" :-)
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