What action it has taken to address the occurrence of odours emanating from waste water treatment plants.

The Scottish Executive has been in discussion with Scottish Water, local authorities, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and UK counterparts about odours from waste water treatment plants. This is because it has become apparent there may be a gap in legislation in Scotland for dealing with this problem. In particular, English case authority has confirmed that odour from waste water treatment works cannot be dealt with by local authorities under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as they cannot be considered "premises" within the meaning of its provisions. This authority is persuasive in Scotland. On that basis, the Executive intends to launch a consultation exercise on proposals for the statutory control of odour from waste water treatment works. Such a consultation will have the aim of the Executive, thereafter, introducing enhanced guidance and improved legislation for remedying odour problems from waste water treatment works.