The Environment Agency (EA) has suggested that the gassy smell that has plagued the town over recent months might be coming from drains or pumping stations.

In a briefing note released on September 29, the EA says that “no odours were detected that we would deem unreasonable” during a three-and-a-half hour odour monitoring visit to the area around the Dunmow Group’s waste processing plant – thought by many to be the source of the problem.

Dunmow has denied that its site is the source, though did admit to one issue in August which it claimed was quickly resolved. The EA says that during its recent visit, its Area Odour Lead officer noted that whille there was a ‘low-level odour’ detected when very close to the site, this was not “gassy or sulphurous in nature” and was “consistent with waste stored on the site”.

However, the EA’s investigations did reveal what it said were “minor improvements” that could be made to the site to “further reduce the risk of potential odours”, though it didn’t believe they would cause the smells that have been reported by dozens of Brightlingsea residents.

Following reports of what some described as a “drain-like smell”, the EA contacted Anglian Water (AW). The water company said its monthly monitoring showed there was little discharge from the waste site over the summer, but confirmed it is looking into a “potential issue” at two nearby pumping stations”.

The EA says that the Dunmow site is now among the most inspected in East Anglia. Following questions from concerned residents, it has confirmed that the plant has the correct permits to treat liquid and other waste, and points out that the biomass burner on the site is regulated by Tendring District Council.

The EA has a 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 807060. Callers may be asked to rate the odour on a scale from 1 to 6:

1. Very faint odour (need to inhale into the wind to smell anything) 

2. Faint odour (you can detect an odour when you inhale normally) 

3. Distinct odour (there is clearly an odour in the air as you enter the area) 

4. Strong odour (a bearable odour but strong, you could stay in the area for some time) 

5. Very strong odour (unpleasantly strong, you will want to leave the area quickly) 

6. Extremely strong odour (likely to cause nausea and a strong need to remove yourself from the odour immediately) 

If an issue with drains is suspected, there is information on AW’s website on how to make a report.