Is Lakewood dumping raw sewage into Lake Erie?

[Donald Farris]

Hi,
I read this short note in the Cleveland Scene the other day: Scroll to bottom story What's that smell?

Sidebar: One day even our esteemed Lakewood Observer will post it's paper on the internet, or so I'm told.

I was confused by the answer provided by Mr. Beno. Perhaps someone from the city could clarify what happened, what was broke and what was fixed. The article stated:

Tony Beno, Lakewood's director of public works, assures us that bong hits hadn't affected Marcis' vision. Apparently a sewer became clogged, sending all sorts of shit flowing into the lake. "It's pretty nasty stuff," says Beno. But he assured us that the city would respond immediately if it happens again. Still, the problem won't be fixed until 2010, when Lakewood will overhaul its sewer system.

So, was the problem fixed or won't it be fixed until 2010?

Why bother dressing up Lakewood Park if the City is dumping crap into the lake right there?

Can't something be done before 2010?

[Grace O'Malley]

I read that article and posted it on the Lakefront development thread because I wondered the same thing.

Is Mr Beno saying this will continue until 2010?

I also have some serious concerns about the wastewater treatment plant in the valley.

Hasn't anyone noticed the stench coming from there this past week? Whats going on there?

[Donald Farris]

Hi,
Perhaps your link was where I orginally read the story from, Ms. O'Malley. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

I hope the city provides a better explanation.

[Michell Slife]

I have it on good authortiy that the "stench" from the waste water treatment plant is the plant doing it's job.

When the weather is hot, the good bacteria used to break down the waste water works more, and because it has been humid and without a lot of wind, the smell hangs in the air.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I have it on good authortiy that the "stench" from the waste water treatment plant is the plant doing it's job.

When the weather is hot, the good bacteria used to break down the waste water works more, and because it has been humid and without a lot of wind, the smell hangs in the air.

Michell

I have also noted a strong stench coming from garbage containers on Detroit and Madison. It hangs in the air and makes the delivery of papers a strange almost Florida like experience.

[Michell Slife]

I've noticed it too Jim, but I doubt that's "good bacteria" you're smelling! Reminds me of early mornings on Burbon Street... I used to wonder why they hosed their sidewalks off in New Orleans every morning...now I know!

[Grace O'Malley]

So, am I supposed to be happy that my street smells like a sewer?

Actually, I was told that if the plant was functioning properly, smells should be kept to a minimum. All wastewater plants employ odor control procedures. Are they following protocol?

My question is, why has it been excessively smelly this week? Don't tell me heat and humidity when the entire summer has been hot and humid.

An occasional lapse is forgiveable; constant stench is not.

[Michell Slife]

Well, I suppose for the specific details as to why the smell is worse this week than any other, you'd have to call the plant yourself and ask them, Ms. O'Malley. My suspicion is that the lack of regular rain this summer has kept the sewers from being flushed on a more regular basis, so the recent downpour has caused an influx of waste needing to be treated. (Basically, after the rain, there's more waste to treat.) Why they would decide to take a break from following protocols this particular week, when they appear to follow them the other 51 weeks out of the year, is well beyond my reasoning. In my opinion, one week of particularly bad odor would seem to constitute "an occasional lapse" as well as "keeping smells to a minimum", considering the alternative could be it smelling that way 365 days a year.

I know we Lakewoodites would like to think our excrement doesn't stink, but as you have become aware, we're just like everyone else. Take a drive down Lake Rd. in Rocky River and see how it smells near their plant, or out along Mastick Rd. between Brookpark and Columbia Rd. where the plant smells bad most days, even in the coldest of weather.

I'm sorry your street "smells like a sewer", unfortunately for you, you live near the waste water treatment plant. You can't possibly expect it to smell like roses all the time. I know that's of little comfort to you this week, but if it smells bad at your house, imagine how it smells for the people who actually have to work inside the plant, with nowhere to get away from the smell. I'm sure they, of all people, would want to correct the problem as soon as possible, if possible.