Toxic sludge gas near homes targeted in Kalamazoo wastewater chemical trial

James Baker, city of Kalamazoo public services director speaks at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services town hall at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, May 18, 2023. State officials gave presentations and answered questions about the health report focused on Kalamazoo that showed there is a health hazard from level of pollution seen in a portion of the city. (Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com)Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com

KALAMAZOO, MI – The city of Kalamazoo approved a trial of a technique to treat odorous toxic gas coming partly from the municipal wastewater treatment plant.

On Monday, June 5, the Kalamazoo City Commission approved a $125,000 purchase order to create the Hydrogen Peroxide Odor Treatment Pilot to treat sludge.

The wastewater plant and nearby Graphic Packaging International paper mill are documented sources of the toxic gas that has also been found in hazardous amounts in neighborhoods nearby.

"There appears to be a relationship between our sludge production schedule, our truck loading schedule and hydrogen sulfide generation," Public Services Director James Baker told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette before the meeting.

USP Technologies of Glen Allen, Virginia, agreed to provide a chemical storage and feed system, maintenance and operations, monitoring, odor chemicals, and technical assistance in the agreement approved by a vote of the commission.

Hydrogen peroxide would be introduced into the process before sludge is sent through a centrifuge to eliminate water to reduce the production of hydrogen sulfide, Baker said.

At times when gas levels are increased at a nearby city park, increased levels can be seen at one or both of the facilities.

A quick look at Kalamazoo hydrogen sulfide sensors:-City park next to gas sources: 8 ppb-City sludge facility: 4 ppb-GPI factory: 9 ppb⚠️Warning: Do not breathe 1.4 ppb or more long term to protect health. #KzooAirQuality (There were also some higher spikes today ~15) pic.twitter.com/NZ6kGbIQsO

Baker explained some of the pilot details while meeting with citizens at a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services open house in May.

GPI's data was released to the public for the first time in May and has shown exceedances over the threshold not recommended for consistent long-term exposure. City sensors have been in place for years and have regularly shown gas exceeding those levels at times since they were installed.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has said the gas levels on community sensors were used for the "health hazard" finding.

There's always been odor in the area, said 76-year-old Lou Ella Knox. Beyond her yard is the Graphic Packaging factory and city wastewater plant.

Smelling it all the time has an effect on her and others, she said, and she believed the gas was harmful long before a recent state health consultation confirmed it is.

Baker said there has been some improvement. The Gull and Riverview sensor, once registering over 20 ppb monthly averages for months in a row in 2019, 2021 and 2022, has improved to some degree, Baker said.

Still, wastewater treatment sensors, as well as sensors at city parks adjacent to the two facilities, continue to register levels above what the city wants to see.

"We’re extremely committed to make sure this gets resolved and our goal is 0," Baker said, referring to 0 readings on city gas sensors. They are also tracking a goal for annual reductions in gas levels.

Biosolids are a product of the wastewater treatment process when liquids are separated from solids. The solids are then treated physically and chemically to produce a semisolid, nutrient-rich product known as biosolids. The terms "biosolids" and "sewage sludge" are often used interchangeably.

The city said it has used hydrogen peroxide at the water reclamation plant in the past to control industrial odors. USP Technologies has 25 years of experience using this process, Kalamazoo documents show.

Both the city of Kalamazoo and GPI are now working on efforts meant to help address the issue after years of discussing it.

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