Residents kick up a stink over smell

A foul smell which has been causing residents to feel sick is human waste being used as fertiliser on a field just outside a village.

Residents say the stench has been getting worse for weeks as tonnes of the waste have been carried in to a site near Torrance and have become concerned that it is being stockpiled.

SEPA said the use of human sludge is a common agricultural practice.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A man who lives in Torrance said: “The smell has been bad for about four weeks. People have been coming out their homes and nearly being sick because of it. I know someone was quite sick while walking their dog.

“There’s sheep grazing on the field. It’s on the road and people are walking and driving through it. How is this stuff being treated? It could have parasites, which could affect humans.

“It’s a disgrace, It’s too close to the village.”

Another local man said: “The council told me that it is human waste.

“I’ve seen trucks going in the field every 30 minutes. The waste is running near the stream, which feeds into the River Kelvin and is a salmon breeding ground. It really stinks.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A spokesperson for SEPA said they had investigated a number of complaints regarding the storage of treated human sludge.

He added: “SEPA officers were satisfied that the sludge was being stored correctly within the designated boundary and in accordance with the landowner’s registered exemption.

“We understand that the landowner is currently in the process of sealing the stockpiles to prevent further odour issues. To date, SEPA have not observed any impact on the local environment or watercourses from the storage of this material, however to ensure that this remains the case, SEPA have instructed the landowner to create bunds which will prevent any potential run off from the stockpile.”

Diane Campbell, from East Dunbartonshire Council, said: “An environmental health officer visited the area on Friday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The officer found a strong and offensive odour. Such issues are controlled by SEPA, which has given permission for this activity at the site in Torrance.

“However, to comply with the regulations, the activity needs to avoid endangering human health, the environment or causing a nuisance through noise or odours.

“Our officers will work will SEPA in an attempt to minimise the smells and any other issues concerning local people.”