Water company shifts blame over ‘disgusting’ smell wafting through a Niddrie restaurant

The water company responsible for the maintenance of a sewer blamed by a restaurant for a “disgusting” odour says it isn’t to blame for the stench.

Julianne Cammaroto noticed the foul smell when she visited La Porchetta on Keilor Road in Niddrie.

“I walked inside and it got stronger, and I thought ‘Oh my gosh’,” she told Tony Jones, filling in for Neil Mitchell, on September 21.

“Then I saw a sign on the mirror of the ladies and it was in a couple of other spots as well saying the odour is not caused by them, it’s caused by a sewer issue, and the water company responsible won’t do anything about it,” she said.

The sign claims Greater Western Water “refuse to replace” a sewerage main that’s responsible for the smell, and all shops on Keilor Road are impacted.

Press PLAY below to hear Julianne telling Tony Jones about the foul smell

In a statement, Greater Western Water says it has investigated and has “not identified any blockages, smell, or operational issues on our network”.

The water company says the mains pipe is “functioning normally” and has advised the restaurant owner to contact a plumber for assistance with the issue.