Councillor leads campaign as ‘smell’ that plagues Dalmuir returns

Danny Lennie became the face of a campaign against a stench from a Saur Waste Water and Treatment Works (WWTW) almost 10 years ago.

Now, he has said that the smell has made a return after a break of fresh air and wants to see Saur commit to ridding the neighbourhood of the stink.

Danny, a councillor for Clydebank Waterfront, said the residents of Dalmuir need a permanent solution.

The first reports of a 'sewage' smell have dated back years.

Saur is a French water management company carrying out the contract on behalf of Scottish Water.

Danny Lennie outside the Saur Waste Water Treatment Works (Image: Newsquest) Scottish Water had hoped a new treatment process introduced in 2010 would be the solution, but 14 years on there is still a call for change.

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In 2013, the Post reported on a campaign to end the stink.

Danny then met with representatives of the firm Saur before an announcement was made in 2014 that £20m was being spent by Scottish Water to improve the treatment plant designed to enhance the performance of the facility and reduce the potential for odours in the area.

Residents of the area along with Danny say that after the talks the smell died down but that it has made a return over the past year.

Now Danny has said this issue has gone on too long and is angered by his correspondence with the water company on the issue.

He said: “It is with great frustration to the residents of Dalmuir that the so-called ‘Dalmuir smell’ has returned. Those living and working here will know this is a long-standing recurring problem. Yet despite years of promises to address the issue, Dalmuir remains blighted.

“We eventually got them [Saur] round the table but it took a long long time. I don’t think they are taking responsibility. What we want to know is when are they going to solve this.

“They spent millions on this and this has never been resolved. It is excuse after excuse.”

After contacting Scottish Water this month he was told they have daily contact with Saur who have odour monitors which are monitored for hydrogen sulphide (a gas that smells like rotten egg).

However, Danny insists more needs to be done for residents of Dalmuir.

Fiona Hennebry is a fellow councillor and organiser of Dalmuir community pantry and café which takes place in Dalmuir Barclay Church.

She says it smells a lot like rotten sewage.

She said: “People who are coming in and out of the church are experiencing this smell which is not very pleasant. I’ve noticed the smell here at the café, it smells like sewage."

A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “We are committed to minimising any odour impact in the local community and we have a team in place to discuss operational and odour risks at the treatment works and the wider area on a daily basis.”