A Southampton councillor has slammed Southern Water over a lack of concrete plans to deal with bad smells for residents in St Denys.

Councillor John Savage met with the water company twice to discuss the impact of raw sewage fumes from the Portswood Wastewater Treatment Works on nearby residents.

He was told there was a plan to deal with the pong - but now, he said documents he has obtained from the water company show that no such plan is currently in place.

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He said: "I will soon be meeting again with Southern Water to hold them to account for the unacceptable stink that residents of St Denys are being forced to suffer."

But Southern Water said a 'great deal of work' had gone into the plan.

As reported in the Echo, Portswood and St Denys residents living near to the Treatment Works, have been complaining of the smell of ‘human faeces' for months.

Daily Echo: A Southampton councillor has slammed Southern WaterCllr Savage met with Southern Water to discuss the issue on July 20, 2023 and January 16, 2024.

On both occasions he said he was assured that an Odour Management Plan (OMP) was in place.

But after not being given a copy by Southern Water, he submitted a Freedom of Information Request to get one.

The councillor was not impressed when the response said: “The site is currently developing an Odour Management Plan, but this will undergo peer review and consultation with local stakeholders before it is finalised.”

Cllr John Savage said: “I am disappointed that Southern Water stated at numerous meetings that they had an Odour Management Plan and it turns out that they didn't have this document.

“The company is legally required by the environment agency to hold an OMP and share with stakeholders."

In response to the councillors frustrations, a spokesperson said: "David Verrall, Regional Operations Manager at Southern Water, is meeting Cllr Savage on Thursday, 25 April, to discuss all matters relating to Portswood (St Denys Treatment Works).

"A great deal of work has already gone into the Odour Management Plan for the Portswood site.

"When the plan is ready for publication, we will be sure to let all parties know in due course."