AUDIO: Kalamazoo continuing work on smells from wastewater plant

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The director of Kalamazoo’s wastewater plant says they have done a good job of addressing the big stink at his facility, and last night, the commission took another big step toward eliminating some of the odors coming from the Graphic Packaging plant next door.

They approved a two-million dollar contract to replace the 60 year old sewer line that runs from the cardboard recycling plant to the city’s water recycling facility.

Public Services director Jim Baker says this new one is specifically designed to prevent odors from leaking.

He says if all goes as planned, work on the new line could begin next month.

He says between air sampling technology, new scrubbers, filters, and chemical processes, they have significantly reduced the noxious odors coming from the plant in the last few years.

He says they have plans to enclose three more facilities in the next few years, to further control odors. That includes the area where they load trucks with solid waste before transporting it to landfills.