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Council hears update on wastewater odor remediation and water safety; city says treated water remains safe
Summary
City Manager reported sludge removal, digester cleaning and a planned screw‑press dewatering installation at the wastewater treatment plant that reduced recent odor problems; staff told council that treated drinking water is safe and testing is performed regularly despite seasonal taste and odor complaints in parts of the system.
Council asked for and received an operational update on water and wastewater systems.
City Manager Mr. Herren said the wastewater improvement project is progressing: sludge has been removed from primary clarifiers, digesters were cleaned and repaired, the secondary digester is near completion and the screw‑press dewatering system is on the agenda for first reading as a permanent installation to dewater sludge. "That part of the project ... is moving along very nicely. The smell has been reduced greatly," Mr. Herren said.
Councilmembers relayed resident complaints in recent weeks about taste and smell in portions of the distribution system (notably from Woodsdale into W5 and W6 zones). Staff responded that treated water "is 100% safe" and described routine testing at multiple points: water is tested as it comes into the plant and when it leaves. The manager noted seasonal source‑water changes from the river can create treatment challenges but that the plant is addressing them through treatment process adjustments.
Why it matters: The city is executing bond‑funded upgrades (including the dewatering equipment approved elsewhere on the agenda) and has been responding to short‑term odor concerns and public complaints about taste. Improvements to sludge handling and permanent dewatering equipment should reduce operational odors and ongoing residuals handling risks; the city reported no regulatory violations in the meeting record.
What to watch next: Implementation of the screw‑press/dewatering installation and invoices or contract documents tied to the 2025 water bond; continued monitoring of distribution taste and odor complaints and any follow‑up reporting from the water treatment staff.
