Southampton residents complain bad smell is making them sick

Dozens have complained about the pong, which has blighted the Millbrook area of Southampton for days.

Some have said the smell has been so bad it has made them feel ill and commuters have also suffered the stink as they drive along Mountbatten Way.

Now the Daily Echo can reveal that the nasty whiff is coming from the Millbrook Wastewater Treatment works.

Bosses have blamed the breakdown of a key piece of equipment for the awful odour.

Michael Clements, who lives nearby in Mill Road, told the Daily Echo: “The stench has been invasive, all pervading and so thoroughly awful that it brought me to the point of being physically sick.

“Having just had many cruise ships in port, I wonder what impression the thousands of passengers must have had when passing through.”

Kelly Bailey, 18, a student, of Mill Road, said: “Everyone notices the awful smell when they drive in to the road. It’s just plain embarrassing to invite people round.”

Sharon Harris, 55, also of Mill Road, added: “It’s disgusting.

We have not been able to have the windows open in this heat because of the smell. I am a mum and have had to put up with the smell of dirty nappies and all sorts – and this is a thousand times worse.”

Jemma Johnson, 22, an administrator for Solent Blinds, based on Mill Road, said: “It’s the last thing you want to smell when you leave the office at the end of the day but you do, especially after rain. It smells like rotten veg – it absolutely stinks.”

Southern Water confirmed that its Millbrook Wastewater Treatment works was to blame.

Staff there are using sprays in an attempt to keep the smell to a minimum, after a piece of equipment broke down last week.

As a result, all the waste being treated at the plant has had to be moved to a storage tank on site while repairs are being carried out.

The waste has been partially treated by the time it is moved into storage.

The firm has apologised to anyone who is unlucky enough to catch a whiff of the stench while they try to fix the equipment.

The hot weather over the bank holiday weekend is believed to have made the smell worse, although Southern Water say they have only received a very small number of complaints from customers.

Last July, residents of Marchwood had to contend with weeks of pungent smell coming from the treatment works in Slowhill Copse and people across the south reported a strange smell in April 2008, which was eventually blamed on agricultural and industrial pollution carried on the wind from northern Europe.

Southern Water urges any member of the public to call them on 0845 278 0845 if they notice any unpleasant smells coming from a treatment plant.

Additional reporting by Stephanie Cockroft