Thames Water faces legal threat over 'bad smell'

The tanks only fill when there is heavy rainfall and the sewers have reached their capacity

Thames Water faces possible legal action following complaints from residents about a bad smell coming from storm water tanks in west London.

More than 50 people have lodged complaints about odours coming from the pumping station in Warple Way, Acton.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council said it would fine the company if it did not resolve the problem by 3 October.

Thames Water said it had installed a new cleaning pump for the tanks, but residents said the smell had not gone.

The tanks act as an overflow vessel for storm water when the sewers have reached capacity.

Thames Water said it had already invested more than £2.5m to improve the tank cleaning equipment to help reduce the odour, and it was always looking at ways to improve the network and would continue to do so and work with residents and the council.

Previously the council served the water firm with a legal notice with a deadline of 6 September to deal with the smells, which it said potentially affected up to 500 people.

The council said the new cleaning system did not fully drain the tanks and left behind a foul-smelling sludge.

"We are putting our foot down and saying, 'you have had long enough to sort this out, get to it'," said Lisa Homan, the council's cabinet member for housing.

If that does not happen, "we will fine them", she added.