“It’s like the worst rotten eggs you’ve ever smelled. It’s not fun.”
That’s what resident Alison Houpt told WFAA regarding an odor that is completely disrupting the lives of people living in Rowlett. “We all know the hot spots, or the stinky spots, and there’s certain intersections in town, and those intersections coincide with where the lift stations are,” she continued.
The city knows where the smells are emanating from. It’s wastewater that sits too long at sewer lift stations that move waste across town. When the water sits, it produces a gas called hydrogen sulfide.
Despite knowing the cause, the city isn’t really planning a long-term solution. Munal Mauladad, Rowlett’s managing director, said, “We acknowledge that there is an odor concern, but there is not a safety concern.”
In the meantime, the city has launched an odor abatement program where they will monitor, chemical treat, and aerate the stations to reduce the conditions that create the smell.
Houpt says relief from the smell can’t some soon enough.
“I think that’s the first step, admitting we have a problem, but we’re waiting on follow through,” she said. “Ultimately, that’s what we need. We need to see action taken.”
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