Ayer’s Cliff’s wastewater treatment plant on Tyler Street. Video posted to Facebook by Mary-Lou Caines.
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A combination of intense heat, torrential rain, flash flooding and a blocked pipe contributed to a biological imbalance at Ayer’s Cliff’s wastewater treatment plant, according to the municipality, as residents report unusually persistent odours around Tyler Street.
The municipality first became aware of the imbalance around the end of July or beginning of August, Director General and Clerk-Treasurer Abelle L’Écuyer-Legault told The Pulse in an Aug. 18 response to questions.
“The heat, torrential rains that caused flash floods, and a blocked pipe are the main factors that led to this situation,” she said. “It is not a single specific factor but a combination of factors.”
Ayer’s Cliff had previously addressed the problem in a special municipal newsletter, acknowledging stronger-than-usual odours near the Tyler Street wastewater treatment plant and their effect on nearby residents.
The municipality said a disruption in the biological balance of the treatment basin had increased the intensity of the smell. Periods of intense heat and certain operating conditions were among the factors initially cited.
The town said measures underway included reintroducing beneficial bacteria, consulting academic experts and evaluating technical solutions.
L’Écuyer-Legault’s response provided further details about those efforts and indicated the municipality is also examining longer-term issues at the plant.
“We are working with several consulting firms to address issues at the wastewater treatment plant and find solutions — not only for the more pronounced odors caused by exceptional conditions this summer, but primarily due to the age of our equipment,” she said.
The municipality is in discussions with a team that includes an engineer specializing in water treatment and pumping, as well as wastewater treatment technicians.
According to L’Écuyer-Legault, the aim is to find a sustainable and realistic solution that provides treatment better suited to the municipality’s operating conditions, constraints and challenges.
Ayer’s Cliff has also begun discussions with the Université de Sherbrooke to explore possible innovative methods of controlling odours.
The municipality is continuing to test several existing solutions available on the market, although L’Écuyer-Legault said those tested so far have been unsuccessful.
“We have also begun discussions with the Université de Sherbrooke to explore innovative solutions for odor control, in addition to continuing to test several existing solutions on the market, which have proven to be unsuccessful so far,” she said.
The municipality is also consulting other municipalities and cities in Quebec facing similar situations in an effort to identify innovative or lesser-known potential solutions.
The odours have prompted complaints from residents in a local Facebook group, including comments from people who said the smell has made it difficult to open windows, sit outside or use balconies.
One longtime resident wrote that occasional unpleasant smells had occurred in previous years but generally did not last long. This year, the resident said, the odour had persisted for several weeks.
Another commenter said the smell while driving along Tyler Street prompted her to put up the car windows and turn off the air.
The municipality acknowledged the effect on residents in its newsletter.
“We know that these odours have a real impact on the quality of life for many residents in the area, and we take this situation very seriously,” the municipality stated.
The municipality has also sought to separate the odour problem from the new residential development underway on Tyler Street.
In its newsletter, Ayer’s Cliff said the odours are not caused by a lack of capacity at the wastewater treatment plant or by the construction of new homes.
Officials instead described the situation as a temporary imbalance in the treatment process.
That clarification came as some residents raised concerns online about development and the sewer system.
The municipality said the corrective measures are intended to restore normal operating conditions and reduce the resulting odour nuisance.
The special newsletter said a gradual improvement was expected over the following weeks because corrective measures were already underway.
Asked whether the municipality could provide a more specific timeline, L’Écuyer-Legault said officials did not want to commit to one at this stage.
“We do not wish to commit ourselves at this stage so as not to raise expectations, but we are hopeful that the situation will be resolved as soon as possible,” she said.
She added that the municipality had deployed relevant resources and was continuing its efforts to find “a sustainable and effective solution to better control odors.”
Asked whether testing had been conducted and whether the plant was currently meeting all applicable requirements, L’Écuyer-Legault said consultants were fully aware of the situation and that the parties involved were working to minimize odours in accordance with applicable standards.
The response did not specifically state whether the facility is currently meeting all applicable requirements.
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