Possible solution for Timaru’s ongoing odour issue

A solution may be in hand for the nuisance odour which has been a persistent problem for residents of Timaru, particularly during the warm summer months. Jason Evered Area Leader RMA Compliance Monitoring, based in Timaru, says Environment Canterbury has made it a priority to resolve the problem, but to date, standard approaches to finding the source of the odour have been unsuccessful. “We hope this new environmental software solution which we are trialling will mean the odours can finally be traced and we can then find a way to eliminate them,’’ he says. “Residents have been suggesting a variety of reasons for the troublesome smell, but it will be good to finally identify the source and do something about it ending the speculation.’’ The EnviroSuite Odour Tracking system operates by modelling local weather in real-time. As soon as a complaint is received, the system runs a “backtrack” from the location of the complaint and shows the path that the odour has travelled. The system, which has been used successfully to track odour sources in Australia and Spain and can handle a large number of complaints identified from different locations at any one time. Mr Evered says “Existing equipment is being used for the trial and software is in the process of being installed and we expect it all to be up and running before Christmas. “To my knowledge this is the first time this system has been used in New Zealand and results should be available soon after the system has been fully installed. “To really get to the bottom of the problem, we are encouraging all residents to report nuisance odours, making sure they note the location and exact time where and when they smelt the odour, as well as a description of the smell.’’ Residents can phone our Pollution Hotline number 24 hours a day on 0800 76 55 88 and report the time, location and description of the offensive or objectionable odour.