Does Spokane Water Treatment Plant Area Smell Bad?

The Spokane Water Treatment Plant Area is a crucial infrastructure that supplies clean and safe drinking water to more than 200,000 residents in Spokane, Washington. However, many people have reported a foul smell in the area surrounding the plant, and this has raised concerns about the quality of the water that supplies the city. In this article, we will explore whether the Spokane Water Treatment Plant Area really smells bad and what might be causing the odor.

The causes of the smell

The Spokane Water Treatment Plant employs several methods to purify water before it becomes safe to drink. These methods include chemical treatment, sedimentation, and filtration. It is important to note that these processes do not always remove all the impurities from the water, and they can create odors. The smell in the area around the plant could be due to a buildup of algae and bacteria in the filters or the storage tanks. This is because these organisms can produce a foul smell during the process of breakdown and decomposition.

Another possible cause of the odor is the Chlorine used in the disinfection process of the water. Although Chlorine is effective in eliminating harmful pathogens in the water, it can also give off a distinct smell that people often associate with public swimming pools. Thus, the smell in the area could be due to the Chlorine used to disinfect the water.

Is the smell harmful?

While the smell in the Spokane Water Treatment Plant Area may be unpleasant, it is not necessarily harmful. Most of the odors produced during water treatment are not toxic, and they do not pose an immediate health risk to the residents living in the area. However, if the odor persists or becomes more intense, it is advisable to contact the local health department to determine if there is any risk to public health.

What is being done to address the issue?

The Spokane Water Treatment Plant is aware of the concerns raised by residents about the smell in the area. To address the issue, they have implemented several measures to reduce the odor. For instance, they are cleaning and maintaining the filters and storage tanks regularly to prevent a buildup of bacteria and algae. They are also monitoring the Chlorine levels to ensure that the disinfection process is effective but not excessive to cause a strong odor.

In addition, the Spokane Water Treatment Plant is engaging with the community through regular meetings to keep them informed about the progress made in addressing the odor issue. Through this engagement, residents can ask questions, share their concerns, and offer suggestions to improve the water treatment process.

Conclusion

Overall, the Spokane Water Treatment Plant Area may have an unpleasant smell due to several factors, including the chemical treatment process and the buildup of algae and bacteria. While the smell is not necessarily harmful, it is important to ensure that the water treatment process is effective in removing impurities and disinfecting the water. Therefore, it is commendable that the Spokane Water Treatment Plant is taking steps to address the odor concerns while maintaining the quality of the water supplied to the city.