Elizabeth homeowners complain of consistent odor from wastewater treatment plant
The complaints are coming from an Elizabeth neighborhood that is half a mile from the plant. However, the operator of the Edward P. Decher Secondary Wastewater Treatment Facility is suggesting the odor is more likely coming from the city sewer system.
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Some people in the port section of Elizabeth say they have had it with a stench emanating from a wastewater treatment plant on South First Street.
Since April, City Hall says it has been inundated with complaints about the Edward P. Decher Secondary Wastewater Treatment Facility.
The complaints are coming from a neighborhood that is half a mile from the plant, in areas such as Franklin Street, Elizabeth Avenue and Marshall Street. Those living nearby say the foul odor has become overwhelming.
Mayor Chris Bolwage has heard the complaints and is responding. He doesn’t believe that the plant managers are doing enough to stop the odor from leaving the property. The facility is operated by the Joint Meeting of Essex and Union counties.
The mayor offered a statement saying, “the odor affecting our residents and businesses is unacceptable. This has been the strongest and most persistent odor our city has experienced, and we will continue to hold the responsible parties accountable until this issue is resolved. Simply attributing this to the direction of the wind is not an acceptable answer. We are prepared to work with the governor’s office, to ensure this matter receives the attention it deserves and that meaningful action is taken to protect our residents and businesses.”
The mayor is talking about taking legal action and imposing fines.
However, the operator is responding with different take.
The executive director, Hanifa Johnson, issued the following statement:
"We've taken every odor complaint seriously and have responded quickly alongside the City of Elizabeth to investigate reported locations. Based on our investigations to date, we have not found factual evidence that the heightened odors are coming from the Joint Meeting's regional wastewater treatment facility.
In the areas where odors have been identified, they have been nearer to City-owned sewer infrastructure or related to other factors.
Even so, our investigation of our regional plant continues, and we encourage the City of Elizabeth to conduct additional advanced assessments of its local sewer collection and overflow systems as well. Our focus remains on working together to identify the source and address the issue for the community."
