Residents say sewage overflow leaves nasty smell at Fareham Creek

2:24pm Tuesday 2nd December 2008

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THE notorious pong may have gone but there’s a new stench that is causing a stink in Fareham.

Residents living within sniffing distance of Fareham Creek are being forced to hold their noses every time there’s a storm.

Despite a multi-million pound upgrade to end the 20-year pungent pong wafting from the Peel Common Treatment works, there’s a new smell getting up the noses of residents.

David Hardy is fed up with the stench left by sewage that is emptied into Fareham Creek by Southern Water via an overflow pipe.

During heavy storms the pipe is used to avoid the sewers becoming overloaded and reduce the risk of flooding in the area.

But David, who owns Trafalgar Yacht Services, just yards from the creek, along with many others who use it are now calling for the decommissioning of the pipe and an end to the ugly sights and smells that frequently overshadow the area.

He said: “Due to the few tides at the creek this sewage often just gets carried back and forth up the creek, leaving a very unpleasant sight and smell for all those who live near by or walk past.

“So many people come into my shop and complain about the smell. We instantly know when the pipe is being used because it stinks to high heaven.”

Southern Water has just completed a £29m scheme that has ended the socalled Peel Common Pong by treating odour-causing gases.

But Leilah Nicola, from Southern Water, said that the overflow was vital to avoid flooding during heavy rain and that any sewage drained into Fareham Creek was diluted.

She added: “We have no plans to decommission this overflow.

The sole purpose of these overflows is to reduce the risk of flooding due to storm events and the impact this would have on the local area and to people’s homes and gardens.”