Description
There has been an ongoing problem with a smell (stench!) of sewage emanating from Arborview Blvd, between Maple Ridge and Linda Vista. I called several months ago and was told it would be temporary although it has lasted for certainly more than a year. It is a problem for all my neighbors and makes it very unpleasant to walk in the area. The smell is very strong and noxious and seeps into houses. Neighbors report having been told various explanations but the fact is that it's unacceptable. Is this problem being worked on? Is anyone paying attention to this? Is there someone to whom we should address our concerns?
43 Comments
Acknowledged City of Ann Arbor (Verified Official)
SteveD (Registered User)
George Hammond (Registered User)
http://seeclickfix.com/issues/1649381-other-issue#comments
George Hammond (Registered User)
oh, actually many times before:
http://seeclickfix.com/issues/1603623-sewer-odor
http://seeclickfix.com/issues/1459158-other-issue
http://seeclickfix.com/issues/1256279-other-issue
Here are past responses from a city admin:
"Please report sewage odors immediately by calling 734.794.6350 Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. To report after hours, evenings, weekends and holidays, please call the Water Treatment Plant at 734.994.2840. Thank you. http://www.a2gov.org/departments/field-operations/Pages/FieldServices.aspx "
"Scio twp has a very large sanitary sewer pipe that passes through this neighborhood which ultimately connects to the City’s sewer system at Arborview and Revena. A large volume of sewage is flowing through his pipe, and can cause odor issues."
If the smell is coming from the storm drains, then you might also contact the stormwater folks:
http://www.a2gov.org/departments/systems-planning/water-resources/StormWater/Pages/StormWater.aspx
Jerry (Registered User)
Souleiado (Registered User)
City of Ann Arbor (Verified Official)
Closed City of Ann Arbor (Verified Official)
Jay Beck (Registered User)
Jerry (Registered User)
Reopened Griswold (Registered User)
Acknowledged City of Ann Arbor (Verified Official)
Griswold (Registered User)
I drove down Arborview Blvd today with my window open and the smell was noxious at the intersection with Arbana. On foot I investigated and the smell does not appear to be stronger above the storm sewer grates, but I notices many cracks in the roadway.
A homeowner in the area said the smell was at the corner of Arborview and Revena last summer, but appears "to have moved east" this summer.
Whether this odor is from dangerous sewer gases or some other source, it is very disgusting and an embarrassment to Ann Arbor citizens.
Closed City of Ann Arbor (Verified Official)
Reopened Griswold (Registered User)
Acknowledged City of Ann Arbor (Verified Official)
City of Ann Arbor (Verified Official)
Thank you for reporting this odor issue. City staff responds to each report of an odor problem and is currently working on a temporary solution to reduce the smell. Unfortunately, the solution to the odor issue falls outside of the responsibility of the City.
The odor is caused when sanitary sewer sludge from Scio Township becomes septic by the time it reaches the Arborview intersection. Scio Township has been adding chemicals to reduce these odors, but their effectiveness has decreased over the past several months. City staff are coordinating with Scio Township to determine the cause of the increased odors and working to develop a long-term solution to address it.
In the meantime, city staff are exploring use of temporary filters in manholes along Arborview to abate the odor.
Closed City of Ann Arbor (Verified Official)
Reopened Griswold (Registered User)
This issue is not resolved as the odor was present on the evening of Friday, July 1. This is a major Quality of Life issue that the Mayor needs to resolve.
We appreciate the update and problem description, but keep the ticket open until there is no sewer odor in the neighborhood.
Griswold (Registered User)
Acknowledged City of Ann Arbor (Verified Official)
Meadowlark Susan (Registered User)
Arborview-cvm (Registered User)
City of Ann Arbor (Verified Official)
BabsMcPhee (Registered User)
Peter von A2 (Registered User)
Peter von A2 (Registered User)
Chuck Warpehoski (Registered User)
Latest update from staff:
In response to the odor along Arborview, Mapleridge and Revena, City staff has been meeting and planning improvements with Scio Township. The odor is suspected to be from hydrogen sulfide venting out of the manholes along a sewer line owned by Scio Township.
The Township will be installing odor filters to reduce the frequency and intensity of the smell. The filters will be installed by November 2nd.
The Township is preparing long-term improvements for consideration by the City. The Township has been instructed to have long-term improvement in place by May 1st, 2016.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the efforts.
Steve Powers
City Administrator
City of Ann Arbor
spowers@a2gov.org
(734) 794-6110 ext 41101
Chuck Warpehoski (Registered User)
latest update from staff:
On Saturday Scio Township will install odor adsorbing canisters in manholes throughout the odor problem area in and near the Arborview subdivision. Next week Scio will begin a monitoring program to determine effectiveness.
The company performing the work is Kennedy Industries. We anticipate minimal disruption to the neighborhood, but there may be questions about who is working in the area.
The canisters are a short-term measure while the township continues to evaluate longer-term improvements to control odors.
BabsMcPhee (Registered User)
Chuck Warpehoski (Registered User)
A flood (Registered User)
Chuck Warpehoski (Registered User)
Latest update from staff..
Scio and its consulting engineers have identified three potential methods of treating their sewage for odor control. Each method is different and may have differing results. The first treatment method was installed in March and is expected to be tested through May. In June and July a second method will be tested, with the third method tested in August and September. Our Field staff are involved in determining the suitability of each trail method.
BabsMcPhee (Registered User)
Edward Vielmetti (Registered User)
Griswold (Registered User)
Noah (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Chuck Warpehoski (Registered User)
Here's the latest update on the process
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Background:
There has been an ongoing sewer odor issue along Arborview Blvd. The odor tends to be seasonal during the summer. It has been determined the source of the odor is the sanitary sewer force main discharge from Scio Township. Last summer, Scio Township and its consulting engineers evaluated 3 systems for controlling the odor. Each system was evaluated for a number of weeks. At the end of the summer it was determined an oxygen injection system was the best solution. While the oxygen injection system was the most successful of the systems evaluated, this systems requires construction of additional facilities to support the process. During the winter months Scio and its consultant has undertaken the design of the facility.
Current:
Scio Township is completing the design, permitting the facility and is tentatively planning start of construction in August. Initial startup of the facility is scheduled for late 2017. The estimated final cost of the facility is $ 1.5 million. For this summer season, Scio has already begun an alternate chemical addition to their sewage to control odors over the coming months. Staff will continue to monitor the situation. While this chemical addition will control odors, it may not be 100% effective. If residents have odor issues please have then enter the information in A2Fixit.
Scio Township has taken the odor issue seriously and is making a significant investment in capital and ongoing operating cost.
Lisa Dengiz (Registered User)
Ron Oblander (Registered User)
City of Ann Arbor (Verified Official)
Closed City of Ann Arbor (Verified Official)