Carrollwood: Avista neighbors lament odor of wastewater plant
The county says it may take two years to make $3-million available to improve a nearby treatment plant.
By TIM GRANT
Published January 9, 2004
Built in the mid 1970s when Carrollwood was an isolated outpost, the Dale Mabry Advanced Water Treatment Plant is now a source of occasional discomfort in Carrollwood Village.
A growing population in surrounding communities sends 5.5-million gallons of raw sewage to the plant each day. With so much use, the plant has grown less effective in controlling odors.
Most keenly affected is Avista off West Village Drive. While some homes are closer to the plant on Delwood Road, wind carries the noxious fumes to this subdivision of walled single-family homes.
"No treatment plant can remove all odors," said lead plant operator Luke Armstrong, acknowledging that Avista is getting more than its fair share. "Most treatment plants are in rural areas. This one is in the middle of housing developments."
Concerned about their neighborhood's image, several Avista homeowners declined to discuss the matter with North of Tampa. One gave an interview, then asked five days later that her name be retracted. But homeowners have complained to the Hillsborough County government, which operates the plant. The government estimates an upgrade will cost $3-million, and will have to wait about two years. Homeowners want the problem solved sooner.
"I can't say I blame them," said Mike McWeeney, director of the county water department. "The neighbors say they want us to stop the odor. They really don't care how, and they want it immediately.
"It's one of those bad situations to start with. We are trying to be the best neighbors we can be. But removing odors is a difficult and complex task."
McWeeney and his staff have met with area homeowners. Representatives from the neighborhood also have toured the treatment plant and were to meet this week with county Commissioners Ken Hagan and Jim Norman.
Avista homeowner John Miley was among the residents who met with Hagan Tuesday. Miley says the meeting was productive.
"Hagan recognizes we have a serious problem, which needs to be addressed by the county in a timely manner," said Miley, who also is president of the Carrollwood Village Phase II homeowners association.
McWeeney said he will ask the commissioners to include a new odor control system for the Carrollwood plant in the county's 2005 budget.
McWeeney blamed the odors on a scrubber that dates back to the 1980s and is working beyond capacity. The scrubber removes hydrogen sulfide from the gas that is released from the wastewater as it comes into the plant.
Department officials said they would add chemicals to the incoming flow to help reduce the odor until they can install the new system. Armstrong defended the treatment plant, saying it has won awards for its operations and maintenance standards.
Wastewater treatment plants are designed to remove as many nutrients as possible in the effluent for reclaimed water purposes.
"Odor control is a different process," Armstrong said.
