'A mixture of sewage and rotten eggs': Holiday town still plagued by stench

A council member who lives in Skagen has now requested an explanation from Frederikshavn Forsyning. Once again, residents of the town are dealing with a foul smell.

Especially in the summer, residents of Skagen have complained for several years about a foul odor from the town's wastewater treatment plant. (Photo: © Finn Byrum/Ritzau Scanpix) 8 minutes ago

Skagen is known for many things.

It was here that famous painters settled and painted some of the most renowned Danish paintings back in the 1800s.

And it is also the place that each year turns into a party hub with expensive cars and champagne during week 29.

But for some, the town is gradually gaining a new characteristic: a foul smell from the town's wastewater treatment plant.

This has been a problem for several years, and this summer is no exception, several residents tell DR.

Read also: There's a smell in Skagen - and not just of fish ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/seneste/der-lugter-i-skagen-og-ikke-bare-af-fisk )

Among them is Jane Bengtsen (SF), a council member in Frederikshavn Municipality and a member of the Committee for Planning, Environment and Permits.

She lives in the eastern part of the town, while the treatment plant is located in the west. Still, she can smell the stench when the wind comes from the west.

Jane Bengtsen (SF) says that in some parts of town, the stench makes it impossible to air out the house in summer. (Photo: © Frederikshavn Kommune)

"It's a disgusting smell. A mix of sewage and rotten eggs. You quickly close doors and windows."

Jane Bengtsen says she has spoken to several residents closer to the plant throughout the summer who experience even greater inconvenience than she does.

She has now asked Frederikshavn Forsyning to provide an explanation.

"I know they are trying to address the problem. But I want to know how it will be solved going forward, especially with next summer in mind."

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Before summer is over

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Last summer, Frederikshavn Forsyning chose to cover three of the tanks at the Skagen Treatment Plant to eliminate the odor problems coming from the wastewater.

This year, however, a different source is causing the stench, says supply manager René Hansen.

Water from the town's fish industry contains the gas hydrogen sulfide. And it is this gas that spreads a foul odor when the water reaches the treatment plant, he explains.

"We are aware that this is unsustainable in the long run. We are doing everything we can to eliminate it," he says.

The utility's clear goal is to get rid of the smell from the town before summer is over. Among other things, they have started adding another substance to the hydrogen sulfide, which will hopefully remove the odor in the long term, says René Hansen.

However, he will not give a specific time for when Skagen's residents can again open their windows and sit outside without odor problems.

"It's a bit risky to promise anything, but we have already initiated measures to put a stop to it."

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