A foul odour that has plagued an Aberdeen community for nearly 16 years could soon be gone.
Residents first complained of the problematic “Torry pong” after the Nigg Waste Water Treatment Plant opened in 2001.
But the majority of complaints made recently were related to temporary issues – raising hopes the community could enjoy an “odour free summer”.
Professor Rob Jackson, an industry expert appointed by Scottish Water to find a solution to the problem, addressed Torry Community Council this week about his recent findings, and said the sources of the majority of complaints could soon be resolved.
He told the group there had been five odour complaints registered last month, three of which were traced back to the treatment plant.
“The number is very encouraging,” he said.
“The bulk of these odours were associated with the temporary works at the treatment plant.”
Work at the plant should be completed by April, he added.
Prof Jackson told the group: “Hopefully after April you should be predominantly odour free”.
“There has been very good progress and the number of complaints has diminished month by month.
“I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think because of that there’s a need for you to switch your emphasis on a few things.
“I think we need to address how we go forward with this treatment plant after it has had £12million spent on it.”
Members discussed the reformation of a monitoring group to keep an eye on the situation.
Experts from Scottish Water, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Aberdeen City Council are now meeting on a regular basis to find a solution to the problem.
And the community council will also give its views to SEPA as part of a specialist inquiry into site.
Meanwhile residents are being invited to have their say on a controversial incinerator earmarked for East Tullos.
A series of public events are being held to coincide with the submission of a planing application for the £18million energy-from-waste plant.
Final proposals will be on show along with information about environmental and technical studies carried out.
The drop-in sessions will be held at Torry St Fittick’s Parish Church on February 29, from noon-8pm; the Altens Hotel on March 1, from noon-8pm; and Tullos Primary the next day, from 3.30pm-7pm.