The Grand Haven-Spring Lake wastewater treatment plant would have covers over its water pools and odor-eating micro-organisms.
GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WZZM) - Grand Haven residents have been making a stink about it for years, and now operators of a wastewater treatment plant now have a possible solution for the facility nasty odor.
A multi-million dollar project would pay to cover the wastewater at the Washington Avenue plant and build a new facility to treat the smell.
Todd Page, owner of the East End Ice Cream Shop, says one thing would make his customers experience much better. "Not having that (sewage smell) with it," says Page.
Three million gallons of sewage are processed everyday at the nearby wastewater treatment plant.
"You never get used to it, it just smells like sewage," says neighbor Molly Milligan.
Plant Superintendent John Stuparits admits the smell is especially bad in the summer.
"We decided now was the time to step to the plate," says Stuparits.
Stuparits says the $2.5 million project would cover the open areas of wastewater and pay for a new building housing odor-eating microorganisms.
"Instead of releasing it into the atmosphere, we'll capture those odors and treat them biologically," says Stuparits.
The plan would increase the average customers sewage rate about $1 per month.
"To not smell poop everyday would be great," says Milligan.
"I think it would help our business a lot. It'd be great if they'd do something about it," says Page.
The communities that use the treatment plant are expected to decide on the plan in the next two weeks. If approved, construction could start in early spring.