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Noxious smell stirs debate in Georgiana
Published Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Turn on the kitchen sink faucet and a nauseating smell fills the air. The same thing happens when you shower. And your clothes hardly ever come out of the washer smelling April fresh.
Washing machines are rusting out. Water is being boiled before it’s consumed. And it has people in south Butler County worried.
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Call it The Great Stink. The frequent occurrence of high levels of sulfur dioxide in the City of Georgiana’s water supply is causing homes and residents to smell like “rotten eggs,” causing concern among many of its citizens, including Mayor Mike Middleton’s wife.
“Believe me, I hear about it every time my wife steps out of the shower and it’s happened,” Middleton said during the public forum held after the council meeting on Tuesday night.
What is causing so much of the colorless gas, frequently used to reduce residual chlorine in municipal water systems and in treating sewage and industrial wastes, to show up in the city’s water supply?
Blame it on Georgiana’s antiquated infrastructure, says Middleton.
“The pipes are extremely old. They get stopped up regularly. That prevents the chlorine from going in as it should and the strainer from working like it should,” Middleton said. “We have had the water checked several times and we have been assured by ADEM the water is safe to drink,” adding that the unpleasant odor was “not a sewage smell.”
Having the system repaired would cost $2,000, money Georgiana does not have in its coffers, the mayor said.
“We have ordered the supplies needed and they should be here by Thursday. We are going to do it ourselves (at a cost of $200) by replacing the pipe and strainer,” Middleton said.
When attendees pressed him as to why the noxious smell is found so frequently in their water these days, Middleton said, “When I get up in the morning and the water is bad, I call and have the water checked. They can clean out the filter in the morning and by lunchtime, it is clogged again.”
Residents expressed frustration with paying for water they are afraid to drink; worries about long-term effects of the high concentrations of SO2 in their water, and concerns about what the next step will be if the planned DIY repair is not effective in eliminating the malodorous water in their homes.
Many asked, “Where is the water board and what are they doing?”
Middleton said the city’s water board is a separate entity from the city council and they do not actually meet on a regular schedule.
Council member Lisa Lowe said she had contacted a water board member on Tuesday who said they were unaware of the problem with the city’s water supply, other than “a slimy feel to the water.”
“Now that it has been brought to their attention, surely they will get together about this matter,” Lowe said, adding, “I would hope anyone who has a problem like that would feel they could bring it to City Hall.”
Residents said they will be watching and waiting to see if the proposed repairs solve the stench.
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Comments
Posted by phkh82 (anonymous) on August 6, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to be the first to say that I am a resident of Georgiana, and I am irrate about the way the city handles things to do with their water system. I pay for my water every month, and they do absouletly nothing to try and fix our water problems. For the past couple of years the city has tried things like lining the exsisting pies to cut down on holes in the system, and doing little things to help, but our water system in the city has been crap since Mr. Burkett has not been there on a daily basis. They have had several people there "trying" to do something, but they want to pay others more to just stand around and look at the uneducated people do the work. I was hoping when the change was made in the mayors office it might help, and yeat it still might, but for some reason I seriously doubt it! I think everyone in Georgiana is too worried about hurting their friendships and not doing what it takes to improve our city.
Posted by SHS84 (anonymous) on August 6, 2009 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have decided to study up on this story. To find out more information on it so I would be able to make a better judgement before I made this comment. First off, the smell in the water comes from hydogene sulfide gas, not sulfer dioxide. Thats 1 mistake I have uncovered. Hydogene sulfide gas is already in our drinking water. The smell of it is controlled by clorine being added to the water. It also is formed in the human mouth. It is what causes bad breath. Apparentley they are having trouble with their injection system. Maybe if they raise the water rates up they can afford to fix the problems instead of just being able to patch it. I have found out that Georgiana's water rates are among some of the lowest in the state.
The sewer lines are the ones being lined when they have grants available for repair. Not the water lines. Mistake #2
They are being patched due to the fact they cannot afford to replace them as needed. Going back to the "rate increase needed".
The water wells are checked on a daily basis. Chlorine residual is measured and documented. When problems like this arise, lets call them and let them know that there is a problem and they will take care of it. Don't blow it all out of proportion.
Mr. Burkett done a wonderful job there and I understand he still helps out on occasion. Also the ones in charge I understand have to be licensed by the state. Maybe, just maybe, if the city had the funds he would be able to get the items repaired or replaced that need it. Again back to the "rate increase".
Now this is to the citizens of Georgiana. Spend your money in Georgiana so your tax dollars can help out the city. Stop complaining if they have to raise the water rates to repair and replace the water lines and other equipment. If you don't like it, MOVE!!! Go north or south. That is where you are spending your money anyways.
Posted by BF2C1 (anonymous) on August 6, 2009 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SHS84, I believe that you mean hydrogen Sulfide. Think that most understood what you were talking about.
If the town is trying to cut costs by reducing the chlorine added to the water then that may be part of the problem as you have mentioned.
Every one just needs to take a hydrogen sulfide bath before attending a city council meeting, and try to pack the meeting with as many smelly angry citizens as possible.
Then I think that the problem will be solved in short order.
Posted by SHS84 (anonymous) on August 6, 2009 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry about the spelling. I must be like the ones that were talked about being uneducated. I also asked about the problem to someone and found out that it isn't that they are cutting back the use of chlorine but in fact they are having equipment that gets clogged up by the rust from the old pipes that is turning loose and causing the problems. Again, let's let them raise the rates so our wonderful town can get this old piping replaced that has been around since the town was formed some time long ago.
Posted by phkh82 (anonymous) on August 6, 2009 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree that the rates are very low for water rates. I didn't mean to offend anyone by saying that they are uneducated. All I was saying is that if the City Of Georgiana was as worried about its citizen and their water issue that they would focus more on raising rates, or doing things to raise money to repair our problems, instead of worrying about hiring friends who are not qualifed to do the water job. There are employees that in the past have worked under someone else's license and have not completed the training themselves. The employees that do have the required training are not paid what they are worth and eventually leave to do something somewhere else. So before you get all uptight and try to find something wrong with my suggestions go down to the water treatment facility in Georgiana and take a look at the antiquated equipment yourself!
Posted by BF2C1 (anonymous) on August 6, 2009 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It may make sense for Georgiana to just get out of the water business. Just find a buyer and sell. Someone like Artesian. They are providing excellent water through out the county. Just a thought.
Posted by Elybesa (anonymous) on August 6, 2009 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good dialogue going on here. I noticed something in this story that no one has mentioned. "Having the system repaired would cost $2,000, money the city does not have in it's coffers. . ." Is the stated cost correct, or is this a typographical error? If the stated cost is correct, then the citizens of Georgiana could easily resolve the problem by raising the needed funds and ensuring that the needed repairs are done. If $2,000 is an incorrect figure, then BF2C1 has a great suggestion. Work out a deal with the Butler County Water Authority.
Posted by along (anonymous) on August 6, 2009 at 7:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just to clarify, $2,000 is indeed the correct figure to repair this problem with the system as quoted by Mayor Middleton at the meeting. Re the culprit, sulfur dioxide was specifically named as the source of the odor; however, hydrogen sulfide is also a colorless gas that can produce a noxious smell, and these two may have been confused.
Additional clarification and reporting will be done on this subject. It is good to note a constructive dialogue going on here. Thank you.
Posted by SHS84 (anonymous) on August 7, 2009 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Again I decided to ask more questions before I added this comment. Sulfer dioxide is a gas that is used at the wastewater treatment plant added to the effluent water to take out the chlorine in the water before it can be released into any receiving stream of water. Chlorine will kill the fish in water so SO2 is added to remove it. SO2 is not added to the drinking water. Only chlorine is added to kill the bacteria that is always present in any water system. Thus it reduces the smell of hydrogen sulfide gas. A high content of sulfer might be in the water causing more hydrogen sulfide gas to form. I understand that water samples are being taking and sent off for testing. So that shows me that the city is trying to resolve this problem. Also water samples are collected every month for testing to insure that are water supply is always safe for our consumption. There is a copy of what they call a CCR report posted at city hall that clearly shows our water is safe and the levels of any contaminents that are found. All levels are below standards. Also I understand that the guy in charge over the water system and the wastewater system is a trained and licensed operator of both.
I just hope the citizens realize that to operate these systems take alot of money and to back our water board and let them know it is fine to raise the rates to insure we have money to address any problems we have and ones that might arise in the future.
Posted by mimi59 (anonymous) on August 8, 2009 at 1:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hardly think our water problem is being blown out of proportion since City Hall has been notified several times over the many years that this has been an issue.Our water board members were not even aware we had a problem prior to the council meeting yet Mayor Middleton is on the water board. Hmmm. We have a right to be concerned when our water we depend on to be safe and clean smells so bad it stinks up your whole house. No one wants to shower, wash clothes, or much less drink water that smells foul of rotten eggs and feels slimy! Whether it's sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide it remains a valid concern how it could affect us. To tell someone to move if they don't like it is as lame as Mayor Middleton's remark (at the public forum) to "cut it off at the meter" if you don't like it. We do need funding to correctly fix the problem but is a rate increase the answer? Didn't all of our water bills have an increase not that long ago? We have alot of citizens on fixed incomes and many unemployed due to the plywood plant closing that have a hard enough time paying their bills now. Perhaps to AGGRESSIVELY pursue a grant (not just apply) or any other funding that may be available would be a better choice. Also, would selling out be an option to consider if we don't have funds to maintain it? After all, there are only so many tax dollars we can spend in Georgiana until we can attract more businesses to locate here. So, if we speak out with a valid concern and the end result has made an improvement for our city....we've done a great thing!
A nuisance associated with hydrogen sulfide includes its corrosiveness to metals such as iron, steel, copper and brass. It can tarnish silverware and discolor copper and brass utensils. Hydrogen sulfide also can cause yellow or black stains on kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Coffee, tea and other beverages made with water containing hydrogen sulfide may be discolored and the appearance and taste of cooked foods can be affected.
Hydrogen sulfide is flammable and poisonous. Usually it is not a health risk at concentrations present in household water, except in very high concentrations. While such concentrations are rare, hydrogen sulfide's presence in drinking water when released in confined areas has been known to cause nausea, illness and, in extreme cases, death. Water with hydrogen sulfide alone does not cause disease. In rare cases, however, hydrogen sulfide odor may be from sewage pollution which can contain disease-producing contaminants. Therefore, testing for bacterial contamination and Sulfate Reducing Bacteria is highly recommended.
Posted by lajaw (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well now, with h2s in the water the city folks now get to share in the stench with those of us that live where chicken houses have sprung up. Welcome to our world................
Posted by phkh82 (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All I can say is THANK YOU Mimi59
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