Residents sick after treated human waste sprayed near homes

Wednesday 05 August 2020

People living at the top of Queen’s Road have been kicking up a stink about the spreading of waste on a nearby field.

Last week, some residents were physically sick after treated sewage was sprayed on fields in the area on one of the hottest days of the year.

Lisa de Gruchy, who lives with her family at La Poquelaye, said: “It was absolutely horrendous, and I was very close to vomiting. I am used to country smells but this was something else – it really smelt like human excrement. I had to close all the windows on one of the hottest days of the year.”

Mrs de Gruchy rang the Environmental Health Department, who said that inspectors would be investigating what happened. 

Other Islanders shared their own experiences on Facebook. Geoff Dingle wrote: “I have just actually vomited from the vile stink outside my house. I don’t know what it is but it is totally toxic and disgusting. We need to stop this!” 

Lauren Jackson added: “I just drove past there and I actually gagged, stuck in traffic too and couldn’t wait to get out.” 

Pictured: It is thought that the 'biosolids' were sprayed in a field near Haute Vallée. Source: Google Maps.

The cause of the putrid stink was a contractor spreading treated 'biosolids' in a field near Haute Vallée school.

Biosolids are a by-product of the waste treatment process at Bellozanne and are used as a soil improver, after pasteurisation and a month of anaerobic digestion.

Deputy Inna Gardiner has taken up the cause of residents and said she would fight to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Pictured: Deputy Inna Gardiner.

"I recognise that biosolid waste is a natural fertiliser and it is spread frequently but this was definitely a case of the wrong time, the wrong day and the wrong field," she said. "It could have been avoided and I will make sure that it doesn't happen again.

”It could have been a miscommunication but whose idea was to spread it on one hottest days of the year in a field close to hundreds of homes?"   

A Government spokesperson said: "The spreading of biosolids on fields occurs throughout the year which aims to safely dispose of treated biosolid build up. Environmental Health work with the Infrastructure Department to regulate the material that is put onto fields.

"This year it was perhaps unfortunate that the spread was done during hot weather which may have accentuated the smell. We will continue to review the practices to ensure minimal public disruption and apologise for any discomfort caused."