If you live on the east side of Christchurch, you probably don’t need a weather report to know which way the wind is blowing. You just need your nose.

The infamous "Bromley Stench" has reared its ugly head again, and according to RNZ, locals are looking at at least another week of holding their breath. 

The culprit? Issues at the Christchurch wastewater treatment plant, which has been a literal pain in the nostril for the community since the 2021 fire destroyed the trickling filters.

For those lucky enough to live upwind, it’s hard to describe just how bad this is. We’re not talking about a whiff of 'country air' or a bin that needs taking out. We’re talking about a thick, sickly, organic rot that gets into your curtains, your clothes, and your mood.

While the Christchurch City Council has acknowledged the issue, residents feel like they’re being left in the dark - or rather, left in the smell. Speaking to RNZ, one frustrated local pointed out that the council’s communication has been about as clear as the sludge causing the problem.

Rebecca Robin argued that instead of waiting for people to complain, the council should be proactive. When the air quality hits "toxic" levels of foulness, a little heads-up goes a long way. It’s one thing to deal with a bad smell; it’s another to feel ignored by the people meant to be fixing it.

"We've had to shut all of our windows and pretty much stay inside. For the people who live right next to the wastewater treatment plant, this is what it smells like for them all the time," she said. 

The council has attributed the latest spike in "pungency" to maintenance work and weather conditions, but for the folks in Bromley, Southshore, and Linwood, the excuses are starting to smell as bad as the plant itself. There’s a growing sense of 'here we go again,' with many wondering why, years after the initial fire, the solution still feels like it’s miles away.

So, what’s the plan? For now, the advice is basically to keep the windows shut and wait for the wind to shift. But as any Cantabrian will tell you, that’s a tough ask when you just want to hang your washing out or enjoy a beer in the backyard without gagging.

Until the council steps up both the repairs and the updates, the people of East Christchurch will be left doing what they do best: Looking out for each other, complaining loudly (and rightly so), and praying for a strong easterly.

Hang in there, Bromley. We hope the air clears for you soon.