An overwhelming stench in a Co Kerry village is being investigated with local councillors saying it is time to determine the origin of the odour.
It is believed that the "pungent gaseous smell" may be related to seaweed trapped in 60 year old rock armour on the main waterfront and beach at Waterville, near the statue of Charlie Chaplin.
Chaplin was a long-term summer resident of the golf and fishing village.
The mystery smell has been raised at council meetings but there is a reluctance to bring in machinery to clear the seaweed because that part of the beach is highly protected.
Locals strongly suspect a deterioration in the rock armour laid down in the 1960s to protect the holiday village. There are areas where it has worn and seaweed is being trapped, they say.
Samples of bathing water taken at the beach in Waterville during the period of July to September have been satisfactory and in compliance with the bathing water standards.
A state of the art waste water treatment plant was introduced in 2013 years ago after decades of campaigning.
Local councillor Norma Moriarity has said it is time to resolve the matter.
"This is not about finger pointing. But Waterville is a thriving village enormously important in terms of golf and tourism for south Kerry and we need to get this resolved," she said.
"It's a pungent gaseous smell," Ms Moriarity said.
Irish Water and their agents Kerry County Council have checked the pipes and other wastewater infrastructure and they are clear of obstruction.
While it is not conclusive that seaweed is causing the stench, the lower section near the village is where the seaweed is being trapped, Ms Moriarty said.
Investigations of the sewer network have been undertaken by the Water Services Department and no evidence of any issue has been identified, a report by the council into the matter states.
But while the authorities concede that "it is possible" that, with warm and dry weather conditions, any odour-related issues may have related to the decomposition of seaweed material, they are reluctant to send in machines.
Sending in machines to an SAC is "no simple matter" and would need special authorisation meetings have been told.
The stench is not necessarily weather related and can occur even when the tide is in, locals say.
"My argument is to at least rule out the seaweed along with other eventualities. We need to find out exactly what is causing this problem. A solution is needed before next summer. No new materials are required apart from skilled machine work," Ms Moriarty said.
Taking out out the seaweed and repositioning the protecting rocks placed there in the 1960s, could all be done at the same time, she added.
