Lexington Residents Tackle Odor Crisis with City Action

News Summary

Residents of Lexington have been dealing with unpleasant odors from wastewater treatment plants since late 2022. In response to numerous complaints, the city plans to spend $8.1 million to combat these smells, including the installation of biological scrubbers. An emergency investigation uncovered the sources of the odors, prompting city officials to implement measures to reduce hydrogen sulfide levels and conduct smoke tests for leaks. As progress is made, residents hope for a fresher living environment.

Residents of Lexington Take Matters into Their Own Hands Over Odor Crisis

Residents of Lexington have been living with a not-so-pleasant “rotten-egg” smell drifting through the air since late 2022, thanks to the city’s two wastewater treatment plants. That smell has definitely made life a little less sweet for those living nearby, but now, action is finally being taken to tackle this smelly situation. The city of Lexington is stepping up with a hefty $8.1 million plan dedicated to controlling these odors and making life more bearable for its residents.

What’s Behind the Stink?

The city has been hard at work trying to figure out where all of these pesky odors are coming from. After hearing countless complaints from citizens, city officials entered into a swift agreement for an emergency investigation worth $75,000. This was contracted to Webster Environmental Associates, who dove deep to investigate the issues and found that the odors were mostly tied to specific steps in the wastewater treatment process at not one, but two plants!

Odor Sources Identified

If you’re wondering exactly where that awful smell is stemming from, the news isn’t all bad. The team from Webster zeroed in on a few key culprits. At the Town Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant, the main offenders were identified as the primary clarifier banks and the headworks. These parts of the treatment process separate solids from liquids and also remove larger debris from the incoming wastewater.

But get this – even though activated carbon has been used in the past in these areas to help with the odors, it just wasn’t cutting it. The odors were overpowering, and the carbon was getting exhausted all too quickly. This only meant one thing: a better solution was needed!

Rolling Out the Big Guns

Plans are already underway to install a biological scrubber at the Town Branch plant. This new system uses tiny microorganisms to break down those nasty odor-causing compounds, transforming them into odorless byproducts. But that’s not all! After treatment, the air will also pass through activated carbon, giving it another layer of protection against those stubborn smells. The contract for installing these scrubbers was awarded for $1.6 million, with hopes for completion by November 2024.

Keeping it Fresh at West Hickman

The West Hickman Wastewater Treatment Plant isn’t off the hook either – they’ve been facing their scent issues, especially from the aerated sludge holding tank. However, thanks to new management, they’ve taken steps to introduce air into the sludge to keep those odors at bay, which has resulted in some moderate improvement.

Citywide Efforts To Combat Odors

Lexington only has two wastewater treatment plants, but the city services a whopping seven watersheds across Fayette County. With pumps needed to move wastewater over an average distance of four miles, lack of oxygen during transit has unfortunately contributed to those unfriendly smells. City officials are pushing for the introduction of chemicals along those sewer lines to combat the formation of hydrogen sulfide, the exact substance that leads to the infamous rotten-egg odor. Currently, they’re measuring an average of 183 parts per million of hydrogen sulfide in treated water, with an ambitious target to bring that down to just 10 parts per million.

Taking Action on Leaks

Efforts are also being made to conduct smoke tests to identify any broken sewage pipes that might be adding to the odor problem. Starting September 9, 2024, residents from neighborhoods including Meadowthorpe, Cumberland Hill, and Pinnacle will see crews pumping non-toxic smoke into sewer manholes. If any smoke escapes into the surrounding areas, it’ll signal a leak that needs fixing. Citizens are being reminded to watch out and report if they see smoke in their homes during this testing phase.

Stay Tuned for Updates!

As Lexington moves forward to tackle this odor issue head-on, residents are encouraged to check the city’s website for updates on testing schedules and further developments. It looks like relief is on the way, and the stinky days of the past will soon be a thing of the past. Here’s to fresher and more pleasant-smelling days ahead for all!

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Additional Resources

• Kentucky.com: Lexington Residents Act on Odor Issues
• Spectrum News: Lexington Addressing Odor Concerns
• WKYT: Sewage Smell Still a Concern in Lexington
• Lex18: Emergency Measures for Odor Complaints
• Kentucky Lantern: Improving Neglected Neighborhoods
• Wikipedia: Wastewater Treatment
• Google Search: Odor Control in Wastewater Treatment
• Google Scholar: Odor Management in Wastewater
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Wastewater
• Google News: Wastewater Odor Concerns Lexington