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    Complaint

    48750
    WPC
    6/25/2018
    Email
    Other
    Odor
    6/25/2018
    18-JUL-2019 01:36PM

    Location based on SITE_ID

    Site ID
    5007
    Site
    Memphis - Maynard C. Stiles STP
    Location
    373 Stiles Drive
    City
    Memphis
    Description
    Treatment of municipal sewage
    County
    Shelby
    EFO Name
    Memphis
    Site Owner
    City of Memphis

    Investigation Results

    No Problem Found
    6/27/2018
    7/6/2018

    Complaint Description and Writeup

    6-25-18: Humberto Guzman with EPA emailed Joellyn Brazile with DWR the following information they had received from a concerned citizen (Andres Belt):
    In the late winter/early spring of 2018 this wastewater treatment facility released several millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Mississippi River due to malfunctioning equipment caused by high water levels. The release has left sludge and severely polluted areas remaining post release and water residence. Apparently this facility is also using a non-enclosed sludge holding tank as well, contributing to a major air quality issue. The stench is at times unbearable on Mud Island and parts north of Downtown Memphis. I'm requesting an investigation into the release, clean-up, integrity and practices of this facility and the associated health and environmental impacts their actions have caused to nearby residents. Thank you-

    7-6-18: Joellyn confirmed with staff that the Stiles plant had no issues and communicated this back to Humberto. Joellyn informed Humberto the following: The Stiles plant was experiencing odor problems in May due to wasting of sludge in cell 3, while cells 1 and 2 were full. A representative from the plant stated that the plant had to utilize lime to suppress the odor, but since then the odor is normal. This is a large wastewater plant, so there will be some odor associated with it, which might be what Mr. Belt is referencing. But, I had staff double check (since we’ve had actual issues with this plant) and we are not aware of anything out of the ordinary with their operations.