* Herald - lantern . Dispatch 25 September '85 3

At Composting Plant MUA (Court Ordered) Odor-Fighting Schedule

SWAINTON - The county MUA ( Municipal Utilities Authority) is conducting "an ambitious program to curb odors" at its composting plant in Crest Haven, according to chief engineer Charles M. Norkis. Judge L. Anthony Gibson on Sept. 11 gave the MUA six weeks to stabilize its system, 14 weeks to install new exhaust coils, and 16 weeks to erect a new, 50-foot stack, in response to a Middle Township law suit that sought the odors cleared or the plant closed, according to Middle More Time For Slogans AVALON - The Recreation Department has announced the extension of the "Slogan Contest" until Nov. 18. The original deadline has been extended from Aug. 28 due to the small response of entries. The judges felt that the entries were not exactly what they were looking for. The new contest rules limit the slogan to 15 words or less. Entries must be submitted prior to Nov. 15. The prize awarded to the slogan used is a $50 U.S. Savings Bond. The new slogan will then be painted on back of the marquee visible as motorists leave town on 30th Street. For further information call Dave Haberle, 967-3066.

Solicitor Bruce M. Gorman. "From the analysis or our consulting engineering firm, Roy F. Weston Inc.," Norkis said, "it is my opinion that the odors are nontoxic and non-hazardous and can be addressed and rectified by appropriate identification, study and subsequent remedial action." The composting plant, a state-of-the-art facility designed to turn sludge from the authority's wastewater treatment plants into a nitrogen-rich soil conditioner, has been experiencing startup dif- • ficulties, resulting in strong odors which ultimately led to the court suit by Middle Township. JUDGE GIBSON ruled that the facility could continue in operation with the understanding that the MUA was taking measures to eliminate the offending odors. One of the most important first steps, Norkis explained, was to get the plant in a "balanced, steady state of operation," in which the mixture being composted is comprised of two parts sludge, one part sawdust and one part finished materail. Since the plant has only begun operations, there hasn't been any finished soil conditioner to complete the equation. "In my opinion," Norkis said, arriving at the proper mixture at the facility "will greatly stabilize the composting plant and will further decrease odors." He said the process has already begun and the pro-

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per balance should be achieved with six weeks. Norkis said the stack through which air within the composting container escapes is being extended from 15 to SO feet, at a cost of about $40,000. ••IN MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION." he said, "this will have a significant effect on the dispersion of odor and should greatly reduce any impact on surrounding properties and population." Design on the stack had begun prior to the initiation of Middle Township's legal action, Norkis explained, and the design of the support system is now near completion. Construction should be completed within six weeks. Finally, on the initial thrust to curb the odor problem, Norkis said cooling coils will be installed in the exhaust system. "It is believed that part of the odor problem was caused by excessive heat generated within the composting facility," Norkis said. "The installation of these coils will reduce the heat and will have a positive effect on reducing odors." The coils are under design, he said, and will be installed within 14 weeks. "THIS IS AN ambitious schedule," Norkis said, "but we believe we can keep on top of it and alleviate the problem for neighbors of the composting plant as quickly as possible." Norkis said once the plant is stabilized and running regularly, a final resolution of the problem will be devised. "We will then undertake a study to determine whether or not the preliminary steps have sufficiently reduced the odors to abate any claim of nuisance." Norkis said. "If not, these studies will identify the cause of the remaining odors, if any, and we will design further remedial measures." HE SAID FURTHER steps could include the design of additional scrubber systems to eliminate any remaining odors. Since the plant isn't currently in a consistent, stable state, the current odors may not be present when the plant reaches optimum operating level and it is therefore not feasible to design scrubbers at the present time. "Any scrubbers installed now," Norkis said, "may not address the ultimate problem." Finally, according to an official of PURAC Engineering Inc., odor problems should not be present once the plant is fully operational. "With regard to the odor control system." Bo Ohneskog wrote in a letter to Norkis. "PURAC can • state that in the European facilities where we were responsible for the design, construction and initial startup and operations, no odor complaints were received from the surrounding areas. ..once the facilities were under normal operating conditions."

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