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Commissioners and residents raise long‑running odor complaints from Pasco water‑reuse facility
Summary
Board members and a public commenter described persistent foul odors from the Pasco water‑reuse/treatment facility and discussed potential nuisance designation and follow‑up with city and state officials; staff said they will inquire further.
Multiple commissioners and a member of the public raised ongoing complaints about strong odors from the Pasco water‑reuse/treatment facility during the June 11 meeting, and county officials said they will pursue additional information from city authorities.
Commissioner Baumann said a farmer had asked whether the smell could be declared a nuisance. “The stink that comes off of the Pasco Process water reuse facility,” he said, has persisted despite facility upgrades; Baumann said he would “go ask some questions of the city” and seek more information. Commissioner Mullin also said he receives calls and can smell the odor from his house about 5 miles away.
A public commenter recommended that local dairy farms consider worm‑farm systems to reduce odors and suggested using AmeriCorps or volunteer programs to support Habitat for Humanity projects in outlying communities; the commenter urged staff to consider those options when engaging with rural communities.
County staff did not announce any enforcement action at the meeting. Commissioners asked the administrator to follow up with city staff and the county prosecuting attorney’s office to investigate residents’ complaints and to report back to the board; a legal review was mentioned for related items (for example, the solar project) but no legal action on the odor was announced.
