What action is currently being considered to address any recurring odour problems relating to Dalmuir waste water treatment works.

I have asked Dr Jon Hargreaves, Chief Executive of Scottish Water to respond. His response is as follows:Odours from the plant have come principally from the interim sludge processing operation, the transport of the sludge cake and from the storm tanks.The interim sludge processing was stopped on 13 September and the sub-contractor was instructed to clean out the remaining sludge from his storage tanks before standing down. As the sludge is heavy and grit laden at the bottom of these tanks, decommissioning is likely to last until the second week in October. Sludge is now being pumped to Shieldhall waste water treatment works through Scottish Water's new pumping station at Dalmuir.The trucks transporting the sludge cake were also a source of odour nuisance. This was caused by the release of ammonia as a result of the lime addition required for agricultural recycling of the material. Scottish Water took over the management of cake disposal from the beginning of July. An alternative disposal route was found which did not require the addition of the lime and this has reduced the nuisance considerably.The storm tanks have proved to be a source of odour nuisance particularly during emptying. Prolonged periods of wet weather over the last 12 months caused a large accumulation of sludge in the tanks and caused problems with both the volume to be cleared, and deterioration in sludge quality as the sludge aged and turned septic. Settled weather during the last month has only now allowed all the tanks to be cleaned. In light of experience, Scotia Water has alleviated some nuisance by modifying its operating procedures to limit exposure of sludge to the atmosphere and return tank contents to the head of the works at an early stage. Discussions have also been held with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on using the tanks more effectively and if agreement is reached, the tank operation will be simplified and the odour risk reduced.