Narragansett officials describe ongoing odor problems at Scarborough wastewater plant; no council vote

Town Manager Jim Tandy updated the Narragansett Town Council on ongoing efforts to address recurring odors from the Scarborough wastewater treatment facility and said the town is pursuing both short‑term neutralizers and longer‑term engineering work.

Tandy told the council staff are applying deodorizing agent seven days a week, and that the town purchased and installed a “double barrel odor cannon” as an emergency neutralizer last week. He said the town has contracted with Wright-Pierce for further evaluation and a possible change order to study headworks and ditch covering options.

The issue has drawn public comment. Resident Carol Spaziano said the odor was “horrible” on recent days and asked when the council would vote on the preferred remedy. Tandy replied that the plan remains under Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) review and that once RIDEM completes its interrogatories and approves the final plan, the item would be brought to the council for consideration.

Local resident Peter Lauro, who reviewed the Wright-Pierce analysis, told the council the plant is “not only obsolete, but not able to handle the current load” and blamed “improper aeration” for creating noxious gases including hydrogen sulfide. Lauro urged interim fixes such as covers and blowers for the existing aeration ditches and warned that underground World War II tunnels may require a site survey before new tanks can be installed.

Tandy said the town has reseeded ditches using sludge deliveries from other plants, has used gas detectors that showed zero hydrogen sulfide at tested locations during a recent check, and is working with its engineering consultant to scope possible headworks covers. He cautioned that covering and construction proposals include many variables and likely will take time to finalize.

Council discussion focused on timing and sequencing. Councilor Durkin pressed whether the headworks covering could be fast-tracked as a smaller, separate project rather than bundled into a longer study; Tandy said Wright-Pierce is prioritizing that component while they continue the broader evaluation. Tandy also said the town contractor and Wright-Pierce are coordinating cost and design estimates.

No formal motions or votes on plant upgrades were made during the meeting; the town manager said formal approval would follow RIDEM’s review and any additional design work.

Residents asked for clearer timelines and for the town to keep the public informed of test results and next steps. Tandy said staff will continue testing and report back when the RIDEM process permits council action.