Solutions sniffed out for bad smell plaguing city

A water firm said it is making progress to tackle bad smells from a sewage treatment site that have upset neighbouring households for years.

Anglian Water is investigating different ways it can stop what has been dubbed the "Whitlingham whiff" by locals living in Norwich. It hopes to create a chemical curtain to block the stink and a storage barn for solid sewage chunks as part of the measures.

Strong odours emanating from the sewage treatment works on the city outskirts have particularly affected people living in Thorpe St Andrew.

Ian Mackie, the Conservative county councillor for the area, said "enough is enough" and that people could not use their gardens when the smell was at its worst.

He added: "Now you expect there to be some sort of smell because we're not dealing with rose beds over there.

"But what we are dealing with is a really potent smell which is [affecting] the quality of people's lives."

Mackie said the odour is worse on really warm days but said he is pleased to see action is being taken to tackle the problem.

Anglian Water said the Whitlingham site deals with tens of thousands of litres of sewage every day.

A spokesperson said: "Due to the nature of the site and the job it's there to do, there will inevitably be some smells from time to time.

"Keeping odours to a minimum is something we take seriously – especially in the recent heat."

It has recently installed odour suppression units and an aeration control system, which it said were already reducing bad smells.

Anglian Water is also working to install a chemical curtain, which will suppress odours by using specialist nozzles to control smells.

This project is expected to be completed by December.

More stories from Norfolk

• Norwich striker sets fan 120-mile cycle challenge
• The Norfolk mausoleum with a link to Old Trafford gets status upgrade
• Victim named in fatal crash that left eight injured

Longer term, it wants to install specialist equipment around the area where it stores sludge cakes - a solid material created after the liquid is removed from wet sewage.

Currently, they are stored in the open. Plans have been drawn up for a "Dutch barn" to contain odours and reduce the likelihood of them being carried by the wind towards neighbouring areas.

Anyone noticing strong smells can contact Anglian Water via Facebook or on 03457 145 145.

Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.