Page 3 - January Banner 2018_Neat

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Commissioners Hear Lagoon Odor Abatement Plan
James Rada, Jr.
The problem of an odor coming
from the wastewater treatment
plant lagoon that the town rents to
Enviro-Organic Technologies (EOT)
during the winter appears to be
under control.
After many residents complained
of the horrible smell caused by the
food process residuals that were
being stored in the lagoon, the town
and EOT took steps to address the
problem.
The lagoon had not been used
since the new wastewater plant
went into operation. EOT currently
hauls the town’s sludge, but it was
in need of a place to store a wash
water product from processing
poultry.
With the lagoon being filled
once again for winter storage,
Town Manager Cathy Willets
and EOT General Manager Mike
Oliver updated the mayor and
commissioners on what would be
happening at the lagoon for the
next year to keep the smell to a
minimum.
The problem is that the material
stored in the lagoon has been
creating a hydrogen sulfide type of
smell. “They mixed last year, which
www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper January 2018 Page 3
was the big reason why there was Oliver also said that a new
the odor in town,” Oliver said. bacteria was being tested in Georgia
The best preventative in stopping lagoons to control solids and odor.
the smell was the development of It was showing promise, and if the
an 8-inch crust on the top of the data continues to be favorable, it
lagoon, using straw laid over the might be pilot tested in Emmitsburg.
lagoon. So now, any stirring that is The one possible problem, though,
done, can be done under the cap, is that the lagoon will need to be at
with very little odor escaping. least 45 degrees for it to work.
PVC piping was laid down the EOT pays the town $80,000 to
slope of the lagoon and under the use the lagoon. The rent will help
cap. This allows the lagoon to be offset some of the operating costs of
filled or material removed directly the new wastewater treatment plant.
to and from the truck, with little to
no chance for the odor to escape.
The time frame for filling the
lagoon can take place on twelve
work days, from December 15,
2017, to February 28, 2018.
In the spring, it can be removed
over twelve days, from March 1 to
May. The preference is to remove the
material as soon as possible before
the temperatures warm up, increasing
the chance of an odor problem.
The trucks won’t travel through
Emmitsburg, which will reduce the
chances of odors reaching residents,
should there be a problem.
A field operator will be onsite
when the material is being removed
to deal with any problems quickly.