A strong and unpleasant smell reported in parts of Waterford City Centre earlier this week has been traced to an issue at a processing plant in Ferrybank.
The odour was first noticed on Monday around Johnstown, the Applemarket, and Parnell Street, with some pedestrians holding their noses as they passed through the area. One business in the vicinity temporarily closed its doors, while several residents contacted WLR expressing concern.
Speaking to WLR at the time, one person described the smell as “like wet dog,” while another said it resembled “burning sewage.”
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has now confirmed the source was linked to Anglo Beef Processors Ireland Limited Company t/a ABP Proteins Waterford, located at Christendom, Ferrybank.
According to the EPA, during routine operations in the early hours of Sunday, 10 August, an issue was identified with the plant’s cooker unit, leading to a temporary shutdown for corrective actions.
Repairs were completed by the time EPA inspectors visited the site on Monday, 11 August, when several odour complaints from city residents were also received. The cooker is now operating normally, and no further odour issues are expected from this incident.
The EPA says a site inspection report will be published on its LEAP online system in due course.
Anglo Beef Processors Ireland Limited Company t/a ABP Proteins Waterford issued a statement to WLR this afternoon saying, “Over the weekend, a temporary operational matter occurred due to a mechanical issue. An incident report was submitted to the EPA. The issue has been fully resolved.”
For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.
