To Our Neighbors:

Recently, the Lowell regional Wastewater Utility (LRWWU) has received a number of complaints for odors emanating from the Duck Island Wastwater Treatment Facility (WWTF). The heat of the summer air, especially with a prolonged dry spell, has made the odor problems worse than usual.

LRWWU is currently implementing a plan to help reduce these odors (The plan can be downloaded here). The Odor Control Plan identifies the most cost-effective solution to reduce odors at the facility.  A new chemical scrubber system has been installed, and is treating foul air from most of the covered areas that generate odors at the facility.  When construction is complete, the most obnoxious odors generated during wastewater treatment will be captured and treated. 

Although the newly-installed odor treatment system is working well, process improvements that will eliminate odors at the source have not yet been completed.  Since the Duck Island WWTF is a 24-hour / 7-day facility, it cannot be shut down during construction.  This causes disruption to the treatment processes, which has contributed to the recent increase in odors. 

Once completed, the ongoing improvements will capture the odors from the septage receiving and hauled waste receiving processes.  More importantly, the current improvements will change the way we manage sludges (wastewater solids) that are generated during the wastewater treatment process.  Solids require a separate treatment process to reduce volume and odorous organic compounds before the solids are disposed off-site.  Our plan is to thicken the wastewater solids with newer technologies within closed buildings, which will reduce the odor potential from these processes.  The solids handling process upgrades will be completed by the end of 2010. 

By next summer, there will be significant improvement in odor capture and control at the Duck Island WWTF. We understand that these odors are not pleasant.  We ask for your patience as these improvements are being completed.  Please continue to let us know if you smell odors or if you don’t by calling Duck Island at 978-970-4248.  We appreciate this information because it helps us gage progress with the ongoing odor control improvements.

Sincerely,

Bernard F. Lynch
City Manager