FLINTSHIRE Council has issued an update on the investigation into a soggy mop stink which is blighting Deeside.

The issue has been ongoing for the last year, and there have been a recent rise in the number of people reporting the odour on a Facebook group set up to help people report the stink - which has several hundred members. 

The smell, likened to a damp mop, has affected residents and businesses across the area - who have raised concerns over any potential impacts on their health, as well as being forced to put up with the foul smell.

In October last year, Flintshire Council said a potential source of the smell had been identified as the wastewater treatment facility in Queensferry that is managed by Welsh Water.

Chief officer for planning, environment and economy, Andrew Farrow, said: “Flintshire County Council has been working alongside an independent specialist over the last 12 month to actively investigate the source of the odour in the Sandycroft/Queensferry area. 

“Odour investigations are very complex and tend to be lengthy as odour is very difficult to measure and quantify. However, I would like to reassure residents that we are taking this issue very seriously and are working hard to resolve it.

“This week we attended an on-site multi-agency meeting alongside partners from National Resources Wales and Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water and will be able to provide a further update in due course."

He added: “Thank you to residents who continue to report the time, date and intensity of the odour when it affects their area. This information plays a key part in our investigation and can be reported to us via ppadmin@flintshire.gov.uk."