Resident alleges recurring sewer odors linked to Lift Station 37; city: insurer is handling liability and mitigation steps taken

A Zephyrhills resident told the City Council on March 23 that recurring sewer odors that began after a lift-station upgrade are affecting her home and property, and she asked whether the city is responsible for damages.

"I have evidence of damage to my property," resident Penny Wickstrom told the council, and she pressed staff about responsibility for medical or property costs if the city-owned lift station was the source. Wickstrom said she still smelled rotten eggs inside her house after showering and asked for a record of backflow-gauge measurements from June–October 2025.

City staff responded that the parcel with Lift Station 37 is city-owned and that staff have implemented mechanical measures intended to reduce off-gassing. "We've put in the flaps that Miss Wickstrom stated. We've also gone to the manhole, and we put, like, a bypass pipe in there that reduces the turbulence... So that's been reduced," the city manager said, adding that odor-control systems were installed as promised.

On liability, the city manager and city attorney said the claim is in the hands of the city's insurer, which has been in contact with property owners and their adjuster. "Our insurance provider has been out there... and they've been in communication with the adjuster for the property owners, and insurance is working through this," the manager said. The city attorney added that the insurer originally denied the claim and is re-investigating; the city cannot make final liability payments until the insurer completes its determination.

Council members and staff encouraged continued communication with the affected residents and pledged to supply requested public records (such as gauge readings) through standard records requests. No council motion or determination of city liability was made during the meeting.