If you see or suspect a sewage overflow or spill, call 311 - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Or you can report an odor by filling out our online form.
Over the past few years Utilities has been working to respond to customer complaints regarding lingering odors coming from some of our wastewater treatment plants. Throughout this process, we've often called on our customers for help.
In the mid 1990's, a $6.5 million odor control effort took place at the Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in response to customer dissatisfaction with the odor surrounding the plant. The effort followed a comprehensive odor study that identified major sources of odor at the plant. |
Since 1999, complaints in that area have significantly decreased.
The next step is happening at the Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in January 2010. New covers will be installed over primary clarifiers. This improvement will help trap odors in the clarifier for treatment by an air scrubber system. The new covers are similar to those installed at McAlpine Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. |
Air scrubbers filter odor causing particles in the air. |
Odor 101
There are numerous potential sources of odor in a community our size, and wastewater plants are just one possible source. Click here to learn more about environmental issues in Mecklenburg County. Grease is the number one cause of spills, and you can help by going here.
Sewage odor is often caused by warm temperatures, bacterial growth and buildup of debris in pipes or pump stations, malfunction of pumps, fans or other equipment, or wastewater treatment plant processes.
Utilities is continuously upgrading our facilities and pipes in an effort to alleviate these problems.
Your input is essential to identifying odors, solving these problems and allowing us to serve you in the best way possible. Thanks to everyone who has taken time to participate and share thus far.
|
|
|
