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Sewage smell permeates Denham Springs neighborhood

7 years 3 months 3 weeks ago Monday, November 21 2016 Nov 21, 2016 November 21, 2016 5:37 PM November 21, 2016 in News
Source: WBRZ

DENHAM SPRINGS - Residents living in Westminster Estates say they're tired of smelling sewage. They say it's coming from a wastewater treatment facility, tucked behind homes in their Denham Springs neighborhood.

"It smells like sewage and that's got to be a health hazard," said Shawn Guidry.

The wastewater treatment facility is one of 112 facilities owned and operated by Mo-Dad Utilities. A canal runs along side of it behind homes, carrying the smell throughout the neighborhood. Water empties from a discharge pipe into the canal. It's water Mo-Dad Utilities says has been treated.

Guidry, who moved to the neighborhood in June says the smell is not normal.

"I've lived in cities, I've lived out in the country, I mean, do you smell sewage at your house," he said.

Catherine Roussel says she's called Mo-Dad about the stench she smells, blocks away from the treatment facility.

"This is not representing our neighborhood very well," she said.

Residents say they notice the smell dies down some when they call, but comes back a few days later. They tell 2 On Your Side it's progressively getting worse and preventing them from enjoying the outdoors.

Mo-Dad Utilities says its office took on about 10 feet of water during the August flood and a lot of equipment was lost. At the station in Westminster Estates, a blower went out recently and it's been in the shop for repair.

Guidry says he's been smelling sewage for much longer than that.

"Come up with a permanent solution, not something that comes up every couple of weeks," he said.

Mo-Dad Utilities says the blower will be installed sometime Tuesday but warns the smell could get worse before it gets better. Residents should notice a positive difference within a few days.

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