GRANTS – A computer panel at the Wastewater Treatment Plant that’s been out for more than two months has resulted in an awful aroma in and around the facility. According to city officials, identifying the panel problem took several weeks. "Last week, the City Council approved the task order for repair to the tune of $32,000,” said City Manager Donald Jaramillo.
“The repair was complete yesterday (Aug. 1) so the aroma should be less and less,” Jaramillo added.
In addition to the panel being down, a large pipe broke in one of the large basins. This also could be contributing to the bad aroma in and around the plant. Plant Director, Mark Teshima, said this repair should be complete within the next couple weeks.
“In a couple weeks we should be good,” said Teshima. “When the Aeromod (vendor) plant is operating correctly, there is very little bad aroma that comes with it. With the panel being down and the large pipe break, the plant was not operating efficiently.”
The $15 Million Aeromod plant was designed by Forsgren & Associates and was built by Smithco Construction in 2019. Effluent from the plant is utilized on the municipal golf course.