A rancid smell continues to waft over Christchurch after heavy rainfall marred several oxidation ponds at the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant in Bromley.
Christchurch City Council expects the smell to continue for at least the next week. Environment Canterbury received over 530 complaints about the stench last week, and 260 more over the weekend.
Some residents are publicly pushing for better communication from the city council about the nature of the odour and its likely duration.
Putrid odours have beset Bromley and the surrounding suburbs of east Ōtautahi since a fire at the treatment plant in 2021. Still, recent rain has lowered dissolved oxygen levels across the plant, making odour more likely.
The ponds are also facing additional stress due to unusually high loading, with patches of sludge surfacing, which further raises the risk of odours spreading to nearby communities.
The Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant operations team says they are closely monitoring conditions to improve pond health and minimise odours. They are adjusting flows, tracking changes in real time, and using all available tools to support oxygen levels and optimise performance.
Exposure to the smell of hydrogen sulphide from the Christchurch wastewater treatment plant can cause symptoms such as nausea, headaches, eye and throat irritation, skin irritation, sleep disturbances, and worsening asthma, even at relatively low concentrations.
Even if no physical symptoms occur, ongoing exposure to unpleasant or noxious odours can still negatively affect mental wellbeing.
While hydrogen sulphide exposure can be unpleasant and may cause temporary health effects, it does not build up in the body. Any symptoms are expected to resolve once odour levels return to normal, and long-term health impacts are very unlikely.
Anyone experiencing health issues related to odours from the treatment plant should seek advice from a GP, doctor or healthcare provider. Alternatively, Healthline is available 24/7 at 0800 611 116. In an emergency, call 111 immediately.
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