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Wastewater plant report shows fewer permit points; residents report sewer odors and backups
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Summary
Wastewater lab manager Nathan Levy told the council the plant's annual report scored 69 points in 2025 (down from 82), with no TSS violations and three minor overflows; residents reported household sewer odors and backups and staff said code/water teams will investigate.
The Hammond City Council received the annual municipal water pollution prevention report on April 28 and approved the resolution accepting the report after staff confirmed corrected pages to the published packet.
Nathan Levy, lab manager at the city wastewater plant, told the council the system remained within its design flow for 2025, posted no total suspended solids (TSS) violations, and recorded three minor overflows during the year. Levy said the plant has been testing peracetic acid as a disinfectant with the goal of eliminating the chlorine-and-dechlorination chemical regimen. He credited opening a fourth pond in 2023 for improved performance and said lift-station maintenance has been a city priority.
During public comment a resident said neighbors were experiencing sewer smells, sand or grit in bathtubs and other signs of backups. Levy said odor and backup complaints may indicate a localized backup and recommended that residents contact the water and sewer department so crews can investigate; city staff said the water and sewer department is available 24/7 to respond. A city staff member noted corrections to the report packet (a point total correction on page 5 and a total point correction on page 16), and Levy confirmed the corrected total of 69 points would be included in the final report.
The council approved the resolution accepting the annual report and directed staff to include the corrected pages in the final document and to follow up on citizen reports through the water and sewer department and city engineers as needed.
