City takes action on sewer smells

Whitefish City Council wants residents who have complained about obnoxious odors coming from the city wastewater treatment facility to know they’re listening.

Council last week asked that the item be placed on its June 6 agenda and asked for a report on the work that’s already been completed to deal with the issue.

Residents on Whitefish’s southeast side have organized to demand the city address the foul smell that has been wafting from the city’s plant. Neighbors says the smell has become progressively worse to the point of forcing them to stay inside their homes with their windows shut.

Councilor Jen Frandsen said like many of her fellow councilors, she has received multiple phone calls and emails regarding the issue.

“With the level of interference this is having in people’s lives, we need to put this on the agenda,” Frandsen said. “I know public works has responded and that is appreciated. It can be an information item and I’d like a presentation on what’s already been done and if there are other options available.”

Public Works Director Craig Workman said his department is very much aware of the odors that appear to have been caused by unusually warm spring temperatures. Workman says one problem area that’s been identified is an elevated sludge level in one of the wastewater lagoons, which crews are working to address.

“They appear to be worse this spring than in years past,” Workman said. “We’ve put a number of operation changes in place and we’ve already seen some pretty good results. We’re evaluating what works so we are better ready to deal with odors for the fall and next spring.”

Ned Nixon, who has spearheaded a “Stop the Odor” campaign, has been gathering signatures for a petition asking the city to address the odor. Nixon said he will attend the June 6 meeting, but he is largely satisfied by measures already taken and planned for by the city.

“We’re not pressuring anymore as long as the city continues to follow through,” Nixon said.

The city plans to upgrade its wastewater treatment facility with completion set for 2021. Until the facility is upgraded odors from the spring turnover of the lagoons will be an ongoing problem, according to Workman.