A chemical spill in the Saratoga sewer lagoons of unknown type and origin caused a strong odor many visitors and residents may have encountered in May and June.
“It got hit with some kind of chemical,” said Public Works Director Chuck Bartlett. “We don’t know whether it came from the system or someone dumped it, but it got hit and killed all the bacteria in cell one.”
Bartlett said the chemical got into the system between May and June, causing the strong odor.
Depending on wind conditions, the odor could be smelled from Highway 130/230 north of town.
Saratoga’s Public Works Department has since eliminated the odor by stimulating bacteria growth and reinstalling aerators that fell into the lagoons.
About one month ago, the aerators used at the Saratoga Lagoons fell into a cell of the system after several bolts rusted, Bartlett said.
Bartlett said public works employees replaced the old zinc-coated bolts with stainless steel bolts, which will prevent rusting.
Bartlett said this was not the first time a chemical got into the system.
Several years ago, town officials found someone had dumped methamphetamine into the system, killing all the bacteria in the lagoon cells, causing the smell.
In a Water and Sewer Joint Powers Board meeting, Bartlett suggested moving the dump station into town, discouraging users from misusing the system.
The dump station is currently located several yards away from the Saratoga lagoons.
Bartlett said there are other benefits to moving the dump station, like diluting chemicals that may accidently be put into the system, thus less likely to kill bacteria.
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