ROCKDALE COUNTY — Attempts to relieve odor from a wastewater plant affecting several neighborhoods in Rockdale County have failed for now, but county officials say they will attempt a second fix in the near future.
The Backstory: In February, Rockdale Water Resources began to address the concern of the aging industrial wastewater pre-treatment unit in north Rockdale emitting an odor that was plaguing the residents of Keswick Village, Queenie Woods, Mountain Valley, Windridge and surrounding neighborhoods.
The unit serves as the industrial wastewater pretreatment unit for Pratt Industries.
First Attempt: On April 28, the unit was shut down in preparation for repairs the following day. Pratt Industries, who is working with the department of water resources and ESG on the matter, was on site at the facility April 29 to make repairs.
The unit was returned to service late that same evening. The repairs were effective in reducing the areas of leakage but did not have much effect on the smell.
Next Steps: ESG and Pratt are working together find other methods to repair the unit and to minimize the odor. ESG operated the unit at near or slightly above the design capacity during the week following the repairs in order to return the EQ tank to normal operating levels. This will allow for a shut down in order to make another attempt at repairs.
With a second attempt at repairs soon, all parties say they are hoping this next attempt will significantly reduce the smell.
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