THAMES Water will hold a drop-in meeting to discuss odour alleviation at the Monkton Lane sewage treatment works this Monday (October 30).

The meeting, between 5.30pm and 7.30pm at Farnham Rugby Club in Wilkinson Way, follows complaints of an “unbearable fish smell” sweeping across Water Lane and the Farnham Trading Estate.

Bob Wiltshire, of car dealership Wiltshire and Sons, said he reported the foul smell to Waverley Borough Council and claimed staff have left his business because of the stench.

Responding, Waverley conducted an investigation and determined that the smell was a result of a bearing failure at Farnham sewage works, which has been confirmed by Thames Water.

A Thames Water spokesman told The Herald: “The odour problem, which has since been resolved, was caused by an equipment fault and spillage of lime-treated sludge, a by-product of the sewage treatment process, last month.

“We would encourage any of our customers in the area to join us at our next drop-in session if they would like to find out more about their local sewage works.”

A Waverley spokesman added: “Although the council is not the lead agency, we work closely with Farnham sewage works and the Environment Agency to try to alleviate bad smells in the area.

“Any concerns about odour coming from Farnham Sewage Works should be reported to the Environment Agency in the first instance on 0800 807 060.”