Sewage works upgrade could reduce foul smells

Unpleasant smells coming from a sewage treatment works in Plymouth could be reduced if plans lodged with Plymouth City Council are approved.

South West Water (SWW) said it planned to upgrade its Marsh Mills site to reduce the smell - which has become known as the "Plympton Pong" - and limit the risk of sewage spills during heavy rainfall.

The company upgraded Marsh Mills eight years ago to prepare for the new town of Sherford which will eventually have 5,500 homes. However, the smell happens because the plant is operating below capacity, according to the local MP.

Rebecca Smith, Conservative MP for South West Devon, said the "rotten egg" smell should counterintuitively reduce once "more residents get their keys, move into Sherford and flush their loos".

Currently sewage was flowing through the system slowly, causing the smell, Smith said.

She added that SWW had told her that fans had been installed above machinery to stop smells from rising and blowing over Plympton.

The company said 2023 was the fifth wettest year since records began, causing an increase in storm overflows.

SWW said it would almost double the site's storm water storage capacity to reduce the risk of sewage spills, adding three new pumps and a 3m (9.8ft)-high kiosk.

It said the new equipment would not create significant additional noise, according to planning documents submitted to Plymouth City Council.

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