The Sewer Gas Odors are Back
As of June 19, 2008
Report Sewer Gas Discharges
(sweet or foul smelling)
to Chris Dabis.
• Slate Creek Lift Station
Sewer odor affecting:
Cyrpress Hill Area
• Castlemont Drive
• Celesta Drive
• Cypress Hill Drive
• Ramon Court
• Stanford Court
Hughes Road Area
• Lidster at Hughes
• Cypress Hill at Hughes
• E. Main St. at Hughes
• Other Grass Valley
Sewer odor reports:
Downtown Area
• East Main near Bennett St.
• East Main near Stewart St.
• S. Auburn St. near Whiting Ave.
We are a loose-knit group of neighbors with a common problem: Sewer Gases.
Join us as we work together to bring resolution to this matter.
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Summary of Our First
Neighborhood Meeting
May 9, 2007 - 4 PM
Hosted & Facilitated by:
Dennis Cassella
205 Cypress Hill Drive
Grass Valley, CA
Dennis Cassella facilitated the meeting of about 16 people, and two absent owners were represented, too. Dennis explained the procedure he wanted to follow. Chris Dabis said that since none of us were professionals in sewer system management, we should not provide solutions because our solutions in the past have been tried and then we were told that our solution didn't work. In other words, let the professionals identify the problem and the solution.
Dennis Cassella introduced Tim Kiser (KEE-ser), Grass Valley Director of Public Works. Mr. Kiser is new to this position but not a new city employee. He has worked as an engineer with the city and was just recently selected to fill this position.
Residents from Cypress Hill Drive, Ramon Court, Stanford Court, Castlemont Drive, Celesta Drive, and Hughes Road were present. Each person took a turn explaining their problem with the sewer gas, what they had done, what they had been told was being done by the city, where they lived and how long they have had the sewer gas problem. About half of the people have sewer gas odors coming into their homes through their plumbing, excluding the toilets.
About half of the residents believe the sewer gas odor is in their tap water. Some were not sure if the odor came from their plumbing or the water. Mr. Kiser offered to have the resident's water tested and said he would provide them with sample-bottles.
Most of the attendees cited the early morning, and the evening until late at night, as the times when the sewer gas is in the air. Most agreed that this occurs year round but is less noticable during the winter months because our windows are not open and we do not sit outside. However, the sewer gas does enter the homes through the plumbing.
A near majority of attendees have contacted the city about the problem. The few that have not contacted the city were not aware that the odor coming up through their plumbing was directly associated with the city's sewer system. Of those having sewer gas entering their home through their pluming, most had hired a plumber to correct the problem, but it did not resolve the odor problem.
Chris Dabis asked if the sewer's infrastructure had been damaged by the hydrogen sulfide and other sewage chemical components, and wanted to know if there might be sewage seeping into the earth through damaged and cracked sewer pipes. Mr. Kiser didn't know and didn't offer a suggestion for exploration.
The sewer mains that run behind the properties along the south side of Cypress Hill Drive have been sealed with a paper felt product, according to Mr. Kiser. Also, the Hughes Road residents said they have not had any noxious odors for about six months. They are very happy after about eight years of sewer gases in their area and in their homes.
Mr. Kiser offered no solutions to the ongoing sewer gas problem, and when asked if experts would be hired to assist, he stated that the experts wouldn't know any more than the city staff knows. He stated there is money in the sewer maintenance fund and this problem is considered to be maintenance.
Morgan Ranch's pumping station is online and working, according to Mr. Kiser. There were discussions about the impact to the Slate Creek Station if the Council approves the subdivisions along Ridge Road. Most wanted to have our sewer gas problem resolved before more sewage from new homes is added to the load.
Through all of the discussions, no one complained about any of the city staff, from administration to management to maintenance staff. General compliments were given to the city staff for their many attempts to resolve the problem and their kindness when working with the residents.
The Public Works Department needs our input. Mr. Kiser asked everyone to provide sewer odor data to him. When we smell the sewer gas, Mr. Kiser wants to know:
• Your Name • Street Address • Date • Time • Wind Direction • Outside Temperature
He will accept that information at his e-mail address, or it by telephone (see below). Mr. Kiser has agreed to share the data with us and it will be shown on this website.
Please send your name and e-mail address to Chris Dabis. She will use that to send meeting announcements and information from Mr. Kiser. Be aware that we will share your e-mail address with the City of Grass Valley for this one purpose only.
Contact:
,
Director of Public Works
125 E. Main Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
work - 477-4626
203 Celesta Drive
Grass Valley, CA 95945
home - 273-8429
Please contact Chris if there are any errors or omissions in the meeting's summary.
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