Stoneyford residents kick up a stink over nasty pong

They say it has been caused by raw sewage seeping out of a field close to a residential area, the Mews.

One resident who has lived in the village for 40 years described the smell as ‘horrendous.’

She said she has been unable to open doors or windows of the house during the warm weather.

“This has been the worst I have ever smelt and it has been going on for months,” she said. “Everyone in the village complains about it but nothing has been done.

“I rang last week and I got through to this person and that person I just gave up in the end.

“I am sick complaining. NI Water came out after the Star photographer was here and I admit it did go away for a while, but it has come back again.

“You cannot open doors or windows and you cannot put any washing out on the line.

“It is not as bad as it was but the smell is definitely still there. It has never really gone away.

“I love fresh air and love to open doors and windows but I have not been able to.

“When there is a fog or mist it’s bad too. It is clearly sewers which cannot cope with the number of houses being built here. It affects the whole village.”

A spokesperson for the NI Water said they had been out to a blocked sewer at a location near The Mews.

“The team cleared the blockage, however it may take a few days for any residual odour to clear” she said. “NI Water will be revisiting the site to check the sewer is running normally and further blockages have not occurred.

“NI Water would like to ask for the public’s assistance in reducing blockages by not placing inappropriate items in the toilet, down a drain or into the sewers.

“Waste Water Treatment Works and sewerage systems are not designed to deal with items such as cotton buds, nappies, sanitary items, wipes and condoms which often cause major blockages or end up on our beaches.”