Harvest of complaints from sewage on fields

Fields near Waldridge Fell, in Chester-le-Street, are being sprayed with the fertiliser to prepare them for next year's crops.

Since 1997, the European Union outlawed sewage being dumped at sea, so the treated waste, which is high in nutrients, is sprayed on farmland.

But the smell has led three people to complain to environmental services at Chester-le-Street District Council.

One woman, who did not want to be identified, said: "This has been going on for three weeks now and it is horrible. We have not been able to open the windows and it has been very warm of late.

"It is making life very unpleasant for us. We wonder what effect this could be having on people's health and what could happen if it gets into the water supply."

However, not all residents in Waldridge Fell are angry about the smell and some accept it as part and parcel of their semi-rural lifestyle.

Electrical engineer Joe Edgar, 32, from Brantwood, said: "You just get used it and this is what the country air is like.

"It is not all year round and it is better than inner-city smog.

"It does stink, but I don't think it is doing anyone any harm."

Retired construction director George Prested, 66, of Falstone Drive, said: "I did not know it was human waste, but it does not bother me.

"It will be gone in a fortnight so what is the fuss about. It is just like normal country air."

On some days, the wind can blow the odour of the waste to the Market Place in the town centre, where people do their shopping.

Liam Howley, environmental health team leader at the council, said: "Usually the smells subside after the effluent is mixed in with the soil.

"The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affair's good practice recommends that treated effluent be ploughed into the ground within 24 hours after it's been sprayed.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and are liaising with both the responsible companies and farmers to ensure that the effluent is ploughed in as soon as it is sprayed."