County utilities staff briefed the Board of Commissioners on repeated public complaints about sewer odors originating from long force‑main runs feeding master lift stations 83 (MLK/Spring Creek) and 76 (Coastal Highway).

Ned, the utilities presenter, said the two lines create long travel times (combined runs of more than 20 miles of pipeline in the system feeding those stations) that allow wastewater to biologically degrade and produce off‑gassing. He described a stepped approach: short‑term measures such as weekly vac‑truck cleanings, incremental lime dosing at upstream stations to limit septic conditions and recent trials of a deodorizing enzyme; medium‑term steps including additional odor‑control equipment (ionization) at problem stations; and long‑term solutions tied to completing the sewer master plan and shortening force‑main runs.

Staff emphasized the need for data before making larger changes and said they have deployed an odor logger to measure gas parts per million and set benchmarks. Ned warned that chemical dosing must be increased slowly to avoid harming the wastewater treatment plant: "we can't overdose it." He also stressed the local role of public behavior in the problem, asking residents not to flush wipes or pour grease down drains because solid and greasy materials exacerbate blockages and odorous conditions.

Commissioners asked about vac‑truck frequency and the potential role of state facilities in pretreatment; staff said vac‑truck service has been provided weekly since 2017 and that logger data will help the county coordinate pretreatment requirements with other system owners such as the state or private operators.

Next steps: continue incremental dosing, monitor odor‑logger benchmarks, coordinate pretreatment discussions with upstream system owners and finish the sewer master plan to shorten runs where feasible.