Tag Archives: Saltend

Odour Control Unit now ‘live’ at Waste Water Treatment Works

wordle on Yorkshire Water and Smells

Perhaps Yorkshire Water's association with Smells is about to end?

YORKSHIRE WATER confirmed today that the new £3.5m odour control unit at their Saltend Treatment Works is now “up and running”.

Richard Sears, community engagement manager at Yorkshire Water,said:

“After months of hard work, we’re pleased to say we’re now in a position where we have this huge state-of-the-art unit up and running, just as we had scheduled.

 ”We know that for some years the local community has put up with intermittent odours from the site and this is clearly unacceptable. And whilst there is always likely to be some odour owing to the operational nature of the site, we’re confident that with this unit, which is the biggest in the region, will help to significantly reduce odours, ensuring they remain within guideline levels.”

 Yorkshire Water is committed to engaging closely with communities in Hedon and Paull to ensure everyone is kept up to speed. For a full copy of the News Release by Yorkshire Water see HU12 Online…

Comment: The Hedon Blog hopes that the current measures are enough to make problem odours a thing of the past and prevent the situation that happened in summer 2011 from ever happening again. The comments made on our Wall of Shame should serve as a reminder to the water company of the anger that would be unleashed if they get this wrong!

Vapour release causes concern at Saltend

WORKERS AT SALTEND have expressed concerns following a release of vapour from the INEOS plant at the site.

A trade union organiser representing workers at the site has conveyed reports from his members that 5 to 10 tons of vapour” may have been released into the atmosphere. Some of his members have experienced sore eyes and throats as a result.

The INEOS Press Office have confirmed that there was an incident involving a “minor release of non-toxic vapour” at about 4:15pm on Monday 26th September.

An earlier report from a source at the site said that workers had to run for cover to escape the gas cloud. They were then confined to their cabins until the decision to send everybody home was made at 5pm when workers were escorted off the site.

Workers have also expressed concern that the Toxic Alarm was not sounded during the incident.

It is understood that trade unions and INEOS have been meeting today to discuss these concerns and a mass meeting of workers will be held on the site tomorrow. *See comment below.

INEOS have released a press statement about the incident:

INCIDENT AT INEOS ENTERPRISES VAM PLANT AT SALTEND SITE, HULL

INEOS Enterprises can confirm that at approximately 4:15pm on Monday 26 September 2011, there was an incident on the Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) Plant at its Saltend Site, Hull.

The incident involved a minor release of non-toxic vapour. The site toxic alarm was not sounded as the chemicals released were non-toxic, however as a precautionary measure workers in close proximity to the incident were advised to go inside and clear the area.

There were no significant injuries and no off-site impact as a result of the incident. We are now liaising with both the Health & Safety Executive and the Environment Agency.

The Company’s tried and tested emergency procedures worked as planned in the control and management of this incident. A full investigation will now be carried out into the cause of the incident.

NOTE: Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) is manufactured at the INEOS plant at the Saltend Site. It is used in the production of paints; furniture and flooring adhesives; textiles, clothing and footwear; paper coatings; packaging; and safety glass for cars and buildings.

Yorkshire Water: Sludge and Sewage issues

YORKSHIRE WATER have again become the targets of complaints from local residents concerned about sludge and sewage issues:

SLUDGE: James told us of muddy tyre tracks coming out of the Waste Water facility at Saltend on Sat August 20th. The tracks came straight out of the gates of the plant and halfway down the outside lane of Hedon Road towards Hedon – eventually wearing out just before reaching BP roundabout. This photo taken later when the traffic had worn them down and presumably carried the mud away, shows the remaining tracks:

James asks: “As we all know what the plant deals with, I am concerned quite what this vehicle had spread on the road! So much for a plant that cares about the environment”.

SEWAGE: Anita has complained about the problem with the sewers in Cleeve Road, Hedon: “I would request that Yorkshire Water sort out the long-standing and seemingly endless problem with the sewers in Cleeve Road, Hedon. I am sick to death of having to drive through filthy water which pours out of the drains.”

The Hedon Blog has also received reports of a similar problem of “raw sewage” having come from the drains on Tailer Road in Hedon.

Yorkshire Water have said that the ‘muddy tyre tracks’ spotted by James should not have happened and the company should not be messing up the roads. However, a company spokesman has confirmed that the mud is not harmful. It is the prior-treated ‘sludge’ produced at the Saltend site which is then taken away to be used in making compost.

If you have any issues to take up with Yorkshire Water then contact the company direct on the Yorkshire Water Customer Helpline 0845 1 24 24 24.

The Hedon Blog will also continue to take up such issues on your behalf – contact us at hedonblog@gmx.com with any concerns.

Saltend Toxic Alarm Test

TOXIC ALARM TEST – TUESDAY 20th SEPTEMBER 2011

BP CHEMICALS LTD at Saltend has given advance notice of its intention to test its toxic alarm system on TUESDAY 20th SEPTEMBER.

The alarm, which sounds like an old World War II air raid siren, is normally tested every Wednesday at 2pm. But the exercise on 20th September is a major test of what the Saltend workforce would do in the case of a real toxic gas release and will involve the alarm sounding for a longer period.

The letter circulated from the company (pdf) says:

“Unfortunately, I cannot give you a precise time for the test because we do not want our workforce to be too prepared. However, if you feel this could cause you a problem, please give us a contact number and we will call you shortly before the alarm is sounded.”

For further information contact Dr Malcolm Joslin on 01482 892513 or Andy Carter-Fea on 01482 894770. E-mail: andy.carter-fea@uk.bp.com

MP: “Make your views heard on the Saltend stench”

GRAHAM STUART MP is urging constituents who are concerned about the Saltend water treatment works to attend one of the hour-long sessions to be held at Hedon Town Hall on Wednesday 24th August from 3pm to 8pm.

Graham, who represents Beverley and Holderness, recently brought councillors, officials and Yorkshire Water together to sort out an action plan to tackle the smells and ensure better communication with local residents. One of the things Yorkshire Water agreed to do was to speak to the public in Hedon about any concerns.

“My constituents are fed up with the smell. They want action and results but also to be kept informed. I welcome this move to allow all residents to have their say on what has been a long-running saga.

“It is no surprise to me that there is a petition, a website and a Facebook group with over 500 members urging Yorkshire Water to act. I hope as many people as possible take the opportunity to make their views heard on the Saltend stench.”

Yorkshire Water Public Drop-in – Wednesday 24 August 2011

YORKSHIRE WATER are inviting the public to a series of ‘drop-in sessions’ at Hedon Town Hall on Wednesday 24th August, 3pm – 8pm. This will be run as five one-hour long sessions.

The Company says on its Hull and Saltend News website:

“We’re holding a public drop-in about our waste water treatment works at Saltend. Come along and talk to us about the works and our planned investment to reduce odours. The event will be split into five hour-long sessions, starting with an overview presentation on the hour, every hour, followed by a chance for you to speak to key staff.”

The idea of Yorkshire Water holding public drop-in sessions in Hedon to explain their plans regarding the Saltend Treatment Works was mooted at the meeting between the company and local politicians held on 5th August and reported on the Blog, see Stop the Stench say local Ward Councillors.

The Hedon Blog says: “We hope that the public take full advantage of these sessions to raise their concerns and worries about the ongoing odour problems”

Yorkshire Water Smells Campaign hits the news!

RESIDENTS CAMPAIGNING against the Yorkshire Water Saltend Smells were in the news today! And it all started from a simple text message from Jo Gardner to BBC Radio Humberside complaining about the odours. That text message lead to interviews with radio, TV and press.

Cllr Ann Suggit, BBC's Olivia Cubberley, Jo and Zak Gardner

BBC Radio Humberside interviewed Jo from Paull and Ray Duffill from Hedon in the Market Place this morning about the problem of the smells and the campaign to get them eliminated. They were joined by Hedon Mayor and East Riding Councillor Ann Suggit who spoke about the 11-year campaign to get Yorkshire Water to comply with its previous no smells pledges.

The campaigners then whizzed off to Paull where a group of Main Street residents explained to BBC Look North about the effects of the smells on their quality of life.

The Hull Daily Mail was next to cover the story with photos taken in front of the treatment works.

Sign the petition in Game People - George Street Hedon

SIGN THE PETITION AT YORKSHIRE WATER SMELLS – PETITION

Petition: Smells from Waste Water Treatment Works are a public nuisance!

HEDON IS A PLACE OF AMBITIONS! We want to celebrate and build upon our history and heritage and create an even better place for people to live, work and visit!

We have an active community of groups and individuals that are striving to improve the quality and enjoyment of life for all its residents. Hedon residents have great ideas about transforming the town; its shopping and leisure experience – whilst preserving its character and opposing inappropriate development. Hedon even harbours a great ambition to bring water back to the Haven!

Hedon has the talent, the ideas and the imagination to take us into a positive future… We have lots to look forward to…

… and then there’s the smell!

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