Smell complaints over sewer relining work
A FAMILY in Le Grand Bouet was left unwell and fearing for their health after a ‘heavy, noxious, unbearable’ smell entered their home.
‘I don’t know who has approved the use of resins to repair the drains/sewer pipes, but the smell coming out of the drain covers and up through the U bends in our house last [Saturday] evening and during the night has made us ill this morning [Sunday],’ said a family member.
The resident said they woke with a headache and coughing, while other household members woke in the night with coughing fits.
He said the smell was heavy, noxious and unbearable.
‘I have had to open all the windows and still the smell fills the house.’
The smell did not go and yesterday they again woke with the resin smell and a headache, worrying that their health would be affected.
The source was cured-in-place pipeline liners which have been used for many years in Guernsey as well as in the UK and other parts of the world.
‘Guernsey Water has lined approximately 20km of sewer using this technique with the same product,’ said capital service manager Mark Walker.
‘We are aware that at times fibreglass-like odours are noticeable. This unfortunately is unavoidable, however, we would like to reassure islanders that short term exposure to these odours will not have any adverse health effects and that the materials used are approved and used as standard throughout the industry for the lining of sewers, as well as raw and potable water mains.’
He said an issue occurred on Saturday during section one of the sewer lining work which left that section heat damaged and unusable.
An extension on the closure is not anticipated.
‘While investigations continue, our teams are also working to source a replacement liner for the continuation of the project.’
This resident was not the only person to have smelt the chemicals.
Shannon Le Brun visited a house along Le Grand Bouet over the weekend and said she had smelt a ‘gluey, gassy,’ smell.
‘It’s not ideal with a lot of young children living round here and walking to school,’ she said.
The person she had visited, Ben Le Prevost, has lost his sense of smell but she said even he was able to smell it.
However, not everyone in the area was affected.
‘I haven’t had that at all,’ said resident Neil Broom.
‘It’s been fine, I haven’t smelt anything,’ said resident Mandy Grogan.
Kerry and Jane Moon said they had not smelt any resin but did smell the drains a lot.
‘It was just over a week ago it started, I’ve smelt it in the garden,’ said Mrs Moon.
‘I’ve found the water tastes funny, I’ve been drinking just bottled water now,’ said Mr Moon.
Mr Walker said he urged residents to call one of the numbers it had provided them with if they had any problems concerning the work.
