Works error causes Bromley smells

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32561, 22 March 1971, Page 14

Works error causes Bromley smells

Human error at the Christchurch Drainage Board’s treatment works was the cause which brought complaints about smells coming from paddocks off Dyers Road, Bromley. The complaints were reported in “The Press” on March 13.

The board’s chairman (Mr A. J. McTainsh) said that a routine discharge had been made from one of the digesters to a sludge lagoon. “This discharge was made at a point adjacent to the point from which the tanker vehicles were to withdraw sludge for disposal,” he said. “Usually, digested sludge is discharged at a point remote from the withdrawal point, but this procedure was not followed on Friday, March 12. When the matter was discovered, steps were taken immediately to see that the right procedures were followed and to see that

the error does not occur again,” Mr McTainsh said. At the time of the complaints several people had expressed thoughts as to whether raw sewage had been put down in the paddocks. Mr McTainsh said this was not the case. “The board does not spray raw sewage on to paddocks, nor does it intend to do so in the future.”

Mr McTainsh said the board regretted the error which occurred last week and wished to assure members of the public that this system of sludge disposal had been satisfactory for five years and should prove just as satisfactory in the future. “I would like to emphasise again that no member of the public is allowed on the treatment works property without first contacting whoever is in charge at the treatment works at the time,” said Mr McTainsh.