Let's get to origin of smell

Another ViewARE YOU kidding us, Horizons?

How can you conclude the smell in Wanganui is not objectionable? The environmental watchdog took a sniff at the city's wastewater treatment plant on Wednesday afternoon and found no problem.

Doesn't Horizons have an office in Wanganui with staff who must have been aware of the terrible smell around parts of the city for over a week?

It can't be that if a staff member visits one place on one afternoon and finds the "odour was not considered to be objectionable" then that's the end of the matter, apart from looking at a log of complaints.

Wanganui has been rife with reasons for the stench, ranging from volcanic plateau activity to the wastewater plant to Imlay freezing works to Open Country Dairy.

Not wishing to malign mammon or mountains, most of us can't find the problem and put an end to it, but Horizons can.

It can't be that difficult for an organisation armed to the teeth with well-trained staff and finely-calibrated gear to track down the source of the smell and sort it out.

The residents of Kaitoke and Marybank and other parts of the city who have complained have every right to be upset, if not seething with anger.

When they first went to the Wanganui District Council last weekend they were told the plant was not responsible for any of that odour.

Then we learn a public meeting will be held to discuss the wastewater plant - yet to be scheduled. And there had been an unusual intake of protein material at the plant, but not all the odours were from the plant. Mayor Annette Main said some of the smell may be due to industrial activity in Heads Rd. Resolution of the problem may not be speedy, but it does have priority.

Let's hope so. The smell - and what's making it - has become so bad that it could be a public health issue. And as of yesterday it was still there. Let's take a punt and say it's a man-made problem. Time to pinpoint just what is the source and sort it.