Have we found the source of the ‘Methil Ming’?
Levenmouth Waste Water Treatment Works
IT’S UNOFFICIAL...scientists believe the source of the Methil Ming is our local waste water treatment plant.
The news may not surprise long-suffering residents who have endured a decade of its eggy whiff - nor those who heard a presentation by the James Hutton Institute at a recent stakeholder meeting.
However, Scottish Water still refuses to publically admit the plant is to blame.
A spokesperson said: “It is too early to comment on specific sources and impact of the odour because the odour modelling study and various other actions relating to odour, including the James Hutton Institute study are still under way.
“Once the relevant analysis has been undertaken and these reports published we shall be in a position to move forward on the basis of the conclusions reached.”
However, the Mail understands the environmental and biochemical specialists believe the pong is prompted when the temperature rises as particular volumes of sludge or pellets are processed at the plant.
Local MSP David Torrance said he was now confident a solution would eventually be found.
“I am delighted we are at last beginning to see real progress in identifying the causes of the odour smells,” he said. “The James Hutton Institute’s very impressive presentation showed a correlation of all the data collected, which finally proves that the smells are coming from the existing plant.”
Glenrothes MP, Lindsay Roy, who was also present, commented all parties were clearly determined to resolve this issue but it would take time to pinpoint the exact cause.
“I urge local residents to be as patient as possible and to take part in any exercises that may be conducted locally to help with the work - for instance SEPA have been asking people to keep an odour log and I am keen for them to repeat this in the warmer months,” he said.
Meanwhile, Friends of Levenmouth Action Group (FLAG) say recent evidence by Aberdeen Research Institute identified the plant’s dryer as the cause of odour.
But the campaign group claim Scottish Water has repeatedly ignored this in a bid to stall progress, despite an increase in complaints from the public.
Secretary Audrey Egan said: ”After years of untold misery and inconvenience caused by this problem, it is about time that Scottish Water accepted this will not and cannot be fixed with mediocre solutions.
“If the drier is not working and Scottish Water cannot repair it, should it not be replaced with a new, working drier?”
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 3 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 28 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 29 mph
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