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CUC warns of wastewater odor
There is currently a sewage odor in the Sadog Tasi, Puerto Rico, Lower Base, Lower Navy Hill, and Garapan areas and that is expected to continue intermittently throughout the year in November, December, and January 2020.
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is also planning on a series of rehabilitative improvements to the treatment process over the next year, which will be critical for the long-term viability of the plant to handle the large amount of new development on the island. The outcome of those improvements will be an odor-free treatment facility.
At present, the cause of the sewer odor is due to the reactivation of the aerators in basin I at the Sadog Tasi Treatment Plant and the startup of the digester aerator unit following a drawdown or decanting of excess effluent. The temporary clarifier currently running needs to allow additional sludge to build a sludge layer on the bottom of the basin to properly capture and draw the waste sludge from the unit. This process may take up to three months or more, depending on the timing of the treatment process changes. As a result, there will be reduced odors and improved effluent quality once it goes operational.
CUC is also working on lessening the odor around the treatment plant to prevent emission of the odor to the neighboring areas. CUC will be looking at alternatives for masking the smell of the treatment process which is not hazardous to people—just unpleasant to smell.
There is also a sewage odor in San Antonio and Koblerville that is expected to persist due to a mechanical failure of its aerators at the Agingan Wastewater Treatment Plant. Parts are expected to arrive on island in a few weeks. Upon the arrival of the parts, wastewater operators will then repair the aerator. As a result, the sewage odor will improve. The units are at the end of their useful lives and new units are being ordered as part of a major upgrade.
CUC appreciates the public’s patience throughout this process and will continue to work to minimize any inconvenience to its customers. For more information, contact the CUC Customer Call Center at 664-4282. (CUC)
