Sandy Bay Park Residents Association (SBPRA)

Good morning all.

 

Yesterday (24th August) the QRA were invited to a meeting called by AWA and Sandy Bay Management.  The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the smells that are often reported by some residents.

 

There was lengthy conversation over the reasons for the smells that folks have reported, with all parties eager to find a solution.  The out come of the meeting is as follows:

 

AWA stated that there had been no changes to the way in which the Sewage plant was operating, that there had been a major upgrade in 2000, and that several thousands of pounds had been spent on the treatment works to keep them up to standard.  It was confirmed by Environmental Health at Castle Point Council that this was correct and in order.

 

It was agreed after looking at photos on Google earth that there had been no trees taken out from the boundary, but that some may have died over the last decade. It was also noted and agreed that the earth mound, that some residents are referring to had not been moved/decreased in size.  

 

It was agreed by all present that planting of fast growing trees/bushes was required to help in mitigating the smell transference, and that this was the way forward.

 

AWA have offered a group walk around the treatment works   STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT, so that they can explain how the treatments are undertaken and why there are sometimes smells.

 

Andy Shutler from Sandy Bay Management stated that all concerns/comments should be sent via email to Sandy Bay Complaints email address and by no other means and not to Tracy Clark or Customer Care.

 

AWA stated that all concerns/comments must be sent to the AWA customer care department via email only.

 

All parties agreed that they will do all they can to alleviate these smells, but AWA were clear in their statement that,this has been one of the hottest summers on record, which will contribute to the situation and that some works will produce odours, eg. taking waste out of the tanks and away from the plant for transfer to Basildon, they made it clear that there will be odours in the future, but that they will do all they can to keep them to a minimum.

 

AWA explained that most of the waste from Canvey is taken to Basildon Treatment works where it is converted into gas, and that this treatment site deals with waste in a completely different manner to the one adjacent to Sandy Bay Park.

 

We hope that this helps you to understand what has been and continues to be discussed, via Sandy Bay Management and AWA. If you do have any comments or questions please do direct them as stated above to the two parties above.