Lime will be spread over Wanganui's wastewater treatment ponds from 7am today to try and stifle the foul odour emitting from the plant and drifting across most of the city.
A stench has been coming from ponds intermittently since they were commissioned in 2007 but since last month the extent
and strength of the smell has multiplied.
Mark Hughes, council's infrastructure manager, told the Chronicle consultants from BTO Cardno had looked at alternatives and suggested adding the slurry to the ponds.
A similar exercise in Nelson had been successful.
"We had equipment on site today and workmen will begin mixing the slurry from about 7am tomorrow," Mr Hughes said yesterday.