Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is working to ensure the improvements to systems and the management of activities at Withyhedge Landfill continue to be made by site operator RML.

The number of incident reports we have received in August and September are low, and correspond with work at the landfill to ensure that landfill gas is being appropriately collected and treated.

The voluntary partial closure of the site to new waste for disposal is another contributory factor to the reduction in emissions and odours from the site. We know that the potential for this activity to restart may be a cause for concern locally and so are providing this update.  

We received a Construction Quality Assurance (CQA) validation report from RML Ltd focussed on sub-cell 9A on 2 September. This document related to the standards to which this new part of Cell 9 has been built.  The CQA validation report has also been received for sub-cell 9B and this is currently being reviewed internally by NRW.

We have also received information from RML confirming how they plan to accept waste into the new Cell 9. We have outlined improvements we consider RML should undertake prior to resumption of waste disposal, and the operator has shown a commitment to meeting these.

As part of that commitment, on 12 September, key equipment for managing landfill gas was delivered to the site. Installation will take a few weeks, with NRW overseeing progress.

NRW expects more reports from RML soon concerning waste testing and sampling. These will be reviewed and discussed with RML with both parties acknowledging the importance of these updated procedures.

RML have not discussed a set date for restarting waste acceptance with NRW. We - along with our partners Pembrokeshire County Council, Public Health Wales, and Hywel Dda Health Board - recognise the importance of keeping the local community informed of any change in activity and will ensure updates continue to be provided prior to any changes occurring.

As part of our approach to jointly seeking a long-term resolution to the odour issues experienced at Withyhedge with NRW, Pembrokeshire County Council is progressing with its legal challenge against RML.

The court gave direction and it will be listed for a 1-day hearing at Swansea Civil Justice Centre on 21^st October 2024 to consider legal arguments.

Due to the public interest in the case there be a video link to Haverfordwest for interested parties to watch.

In addition to pursuing the legal avenue our Public Protection team continues to undertake air quality monitoring and working in collaboration with our partners to do all in our power to address the situation.

Public Health Wales has undertaken a further health risk assessment of air quality data collected at the Spittal School monitoring station, covering the period between 27th August and 30th September 2024. During this time, there were occasions when hydrogen sulphide concentrations in the air were above the WHO odour annoyance (5ppb / 7ug/m3) level.

In addition, we have reviewed air quality monitoring undertaken by Geotechnology at other sites in the community between 9th August and 4th September 2024 and monitoring undertaken by Natural Resources Wales (also in the community) between 13th June and 4th September.  These monitoring data have recorded one occasion when hydrogen sulphide concentrations in the air were above the WHO odour annoyance (5ppb / 7ug/m3) level.

Whilst these data are generally reassuring, we do know that, even at low concentrations, bad smells can lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness, watery eyes, stuffy nose, irritated throat, cough or wheeze, sleep problems and stress. This can happen even when the substances that cause the smell are not directly harmful to health. These are common reactions, and these effects should usually pass once the odour has gone. The long-term (lifetime) health risk remains low.   

Closing windows and doors when smells occur, or when the wind is blowing from the landfill towards your home, can help to stop smells coming inside. Remember not to block windows or vents completely.  This is because they provide air to vent cookers or heaters and can help to control damp.  

Once an outdoor smell has passed, opening windows and doors will help get rid of any smells that remain. 

Multi agency partners review and check monitoring data together. Public Health Wales then use it to inform a health risk assessment before sharing our conclusions with the public. The health risk assessment will continue to be reviewed and updated as more monitoring data is made available to us.