Air pollution at city sewage plant leads to fine of $542,000
Star-Bulletin staff
The city Department of Environmental Services has been fined $542,000 for air pollution emanating from the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The state Department of Health Clean Air Branch issued a violation notice against the city for intermittently exceeding its hydrogen sulfide air permit limit between February 2003 and December 2004, as reported by the city's facility. The limit is 0.025 parts per million measured at the property line of the plant.
The state ordered the city to take remedial actions to comply with the air permit's conditions.
The city said yesterday that the state was informed that corrective action has been taken. A new aerated head works building with air pollution equipment was put into operation in mid-August and initial air monitoring results show an improvement, according to a statement from the Department of Environmental Services.
It said other projects are planned that will help reduce the odors from the processing of waste-water sludge. The city is beginning a primary treatment expansion project, to be completed in three years, and will replace the outdated thermal treatment processing facility with an anaerobic digestion plant.
The state announcement said that the city has 20 days to contest the order. If it does, a hearing will be scheduled for the case.
Hydrogen sulfide is a gaseous compound formed by the decomposition of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. At concentrations of 10 to 20 parts per million, it can cause temporary health effects such as headaches, dizziness, nausea and irritations to the eyes and respiratory tract, according to the Department of Health.