A “horrendous stench” is under investigation in Staple Hill.
The drains in Teewell Hill have “sporadically” given off a smell of “rank water” for more than a year, according to Marie Lovell who lives in the area.
We reported on the problem last April, when Ms Lovell had complained about “great amounts of stinking water down the drainage system”.
South Gloucestershire Council engineers investigated the issue at the time and found it did not appear to be linked to rainfall.
But locals aired their discontent over the weekend, as Storm Dennis brought torrential downpours – and the stink returned, prompting the council to reopen its probe.
Ms Lovell took pictures of large puddles from the overflowing drains and said: “When is South Glos [Council] actually going to get to the source of this problem?
“The stench is horrendous – 12 months plus and no solution. Perhaps I’ll stop paying my rates.”
Social media was awash with similar complaints, one Facebook user commenting: “I’m working on Teewell Hill at the moment – have been blaming the client’s dog.”
'Disgusting'
Staple Hill Councillor Ian Boulton described the matter as a “stinking mystery”.
He said: “It took me by surprise, because I had been hopeful it was all sorted.
“It seems to be an intermittent situation. Whether the council has the resources to take a sample at short notice during a moment when the issue is present, I’m not sure.”
Ms Lovell added: “It’s disgusting when it happens. Sometimes it happens when it’s been raining.
“I can understand the volume of water, but not for it to smell so stagnant. Then sometimes it happens when it hasn’t even been raining.”
What the council says
A council drainage engineer warned last April the issue could stem from people dumping rubbish in the drains.
He wrote to Mr Boulton: “This one is a bit of a mystery. I wonder if somebody is discharging illegally into our system?”
A council spokesman has now said: “We have been notified that these drains are producing a smell, but so far we have been unable to identify what is causing it.
“We will continue with our investigations and if anyone has any information they can report it on our website www.southglos.gov.uk/reportit or by calling 01454868000.”
