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Residents press Zephyrhills to act on Waters Edge sewer odor; city weighs rental scrubber and manhole piping
Summary
Waters Edge residents said a persistent odor has displaced households; city staff said gas intrusion into homes was reduced by backflow valves but off‑gassing remains. Staff proposed a short‑term rental scrubber (2–4 week lead), permanent units (12–15 weeks) and piping inside the manhole to reduce turbulence; council urged faster interim mitigation and an independent report.
Residents of the Waters Edge community and nearby park attendees pressed the City of Zephyrhills on Feb. 23 for faster action to address months‑long sewer odors and, in some cases, gas intrusion into homes.
Penny Wickstrom told the council that the smell remains "bad in the park" and asked whether a scrubber had been installed; Jerry Richards called the city’s responses "Band‑Aids" and urged an independent assessment of the original design, installation and inspections. Utilities staff said they have reached out to the insurance company and expect an adjuster to inspect the site within days, and that staff obtained pricing options for both rental and purchase odor‑control scrubbers.
Utilities staff described two near‑term options: a rental odor‑control scrubber that could be procured and installed in roughly two to four weeks, and permanent units with lead times of 12–15 weeks. Staff also described a lower‑cost engineering fix: installing internal piping in the lift‑station manhole to create contained inflow/outflow and reduce turbulence and off‑gassing. Staff said they had also engaged an independent engineer, Gordon Onderdonk, who reviewed plans and conducted a site visit and supplied observations by email; staff said he would prepare a written report if the city desires and is willing to pay for one.
Regarding reports that gas had entered homes, Utilities staff said a combination of homeowner repairs and a backflow valve installation reduced measured gas pressure to zero at tested cleanouts using a Magnahelic meter. Staff also said a smoke test found a broken pipe under one mobile home, which will need repair. Councilmembers pressed staff to document findings and to pursue interim mitigation — several members said they favored renting a scrubber now to provide relief and to demonstrate the city took steps to mitigate impacts should litigation follow.
No formal action to purchase equipment was taken at the meeting, but staff said they planned to bring contract approvals to the next agenda and that the less‑expensive rental/purchase option may fall under the city manager’s signing authority if it meets thresholds. Council directed staff to continue pursuing an immediate rental solution, produce a written independent assessment, and report back with a schedule for permanent odor‑control equipment.
