Efforts Underway to Eliminate Odor Problems at the Sewer Treatment Plant

The City’s sewer treatment plant (located along the Sterling Highway at the bottom of Heath Street) is experiencing operational difficulties that are resulting in a greater than normal amount of odor being generated from the sludge lagoon.

The level of odor leaving the site is unacceptable and plant operators are adjusting treatment procedures to reduce impacts to adjacent properties. The lagoon historically does produce some odor in the Spring, but this year the levels are higher.  With adjustments to the treatment process and the normal reductions in odor anticipated after complete lagoon “turnover”, Public Works expect this situation to be temporary. In addition to the current measures being taken, a permanent solution is being designed to eliminate future Spring odor problems.

This situation is partially due to the City’s attempt to reduce energy costs and partially the slow recovery from damage to plant biology created by the flooding of the plant late this winter.  Public Works is working to solve this problem as quickly as possible and implement procedures that reduce the potential for this unacceptable situation to occur in the future.