Odor Updates

  • For all questions or concerns regarding odors please contact Janet Carson at 435-671-2497 or jcarson@hvssd.org ODOR UPDATES
  • Our top priority is addressing and alleviating the odor issues. We have created this section of the website to keep you updated on developments and our ongoing efforts. We are committed to identifying and implementing the most effective short- and long-term solutions for the Heber Valley.

  • Tuesday August 15, 2023
  • Heber City: In HVSSD’s August 10th Board meeting, Heber City Mayor Heidi Franco reported that Heber is considering a probiotic treatment of wastewater in its collection system to minimize odor from the water as it comes into the plant. This organic treatment can help prevent formation of H2S in the system and has been used with some success by other cities. It can be implemented relatively quickly without disrupting other necessary chemical processes at the treatment plant. Heber City Manager, Matt Brower will continue evaluating possible use and report back.

  • Midway Sanitation District: MSD vice chair Clair Provost reported MSD is moving forward with manhole and line testing for H2S, carbon dioxide, and oxygen levels. Manhole testing will be done at the 6-foot, 3-foot and surface levels of the manholes in areas of reported odor. Test results are expected in the next week and can be evaluated for manhole-specific trends and potential cleaning and treatment needs.

  • Thursday August 17, 2023
  • Update from MSD Midway Sanitation District (MSD) sewer collection system has recently undergone testing of approximately 160 manholes to measure the presence of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) gases in the vicinity of the HVSSD plant. MSD hired a third party, independent contractor to conduct the testing. All tests resulted in very low H2S levels and well below OSHA safety standards of 20 ppm. MSD is planning to purchase an H2S testing device and will continue to monitor levels of H2S in our system. Additionally, MSD has pushed up our annual cleaning schedule to include the Michie Lane portion of our system in order to help with any additional odors. Periodic line flushings will also be completed on an as-needed basis.


  • Thursday August 3, 2023 On July 21, HVSSD began an emergency engagement with Environmental Resources Group (ERG) to assess the odor complaints, investigate causes, and propose both short- and long-term solutions to reduce odors.

  • The HVSSD Board held a special meeting on July 31, 2023 and moved to support the Wasatch County Health Department request to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services to conduct an environmental epidemiological study at the treatment plant.

  • Heber City officials met with Manager Dennis Gunn and odor mitigation experts to outline a plan for odor mitigation of the Heber sewer lines that feed into HVSSD.

  • Midway Service District (MSD) has hired a third party to test for odors at approximately 140 manholes in areas of potential concern in their collection system. The tests will help identify priority areas for collection system cleaning and maintenance.

  • Wednesday, July 19, 2023
  • The following is a list of items we are and have been working on since the July 13, 2023 board meeting:

  • • Created this “Odor Updates” section of the website to provide regular updates on odor mitigation efforts
  • • Working to set up social media and email channels for updates on odor mitigation efforts
  • • Manager Dennis Gunn and Board Member Clair Provost inspected manholes to assess potential odors in the collection lines
  • • Midway Sanitation District has agreed to hire an independent inspection company to conduct a more thorough inspection of all manholes on Michie Lane
  • • Coordination with Wasatch County Health Department to request analysis of any health risks posed by the facility and to coordinate evaluation by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services
  • • Request to the Wasatch County Health Department to hold a public meeting regarding odor issues. The health department has asked to coordinate with others more expert in this area before a public meeting
  • • Working with Midway and Heber City to look for and diagnose any odors coming from the sewage collection systems that feed into the treatment facility.
  • • Planning a board meeting this week to discuss and potentially approve an emergency engagement with Environmental Resources Group, an outside engineering firm out of Wixom, MI which has special expertise in sewer treatment facility odor mitigation to assess the odor complaints, investigate causes, and propose both short- and long-term solutions to reduce odors.
  • • Engaged Brad Rasmussen of Aqua Engineering, a water engineer with over 30 years of experience engineering sewage treatment facilities, to provide cost estimates for potential changes and upgrades to the treatment facility.
  • • Preparing recommendations for a Citizen Advisory Committee to provide support and feedback for our odor response efforts.
  • • Ongoing spot monitoring and response to community concerns.

To learn more, please check out the Questions and Answers page on this website. Send any questions to: dgunn@hvssd.org
  • BOARD MEETINGS The next board meeting will be held on August 10, 2023
  • August 10, 2023 Board Meeting


  • AGENDA ITEMS CONDUCTING: Board Chair, Celeste Johnson Closed Session to discuss pending or imminent litigation. -Strategy session to discuss reasonably imminent litigation PUBLIC COMMENT: This is the public’s opportunity to comment on items not on the agenda.  ENTITY UPDATES: or COMMITTEE UPDATES if any  Consent Agenda Approval – (5 minutes). 1. July 13, 2023, Board Meeting Minutes. 2. July 31, 2023, Special Meeting Minutes. 3. July 2023, Profit & Loss 4. July 2023, Reconciliation 5. Warrants Odor Updates (30 minutes) Heber City - Heidi Franco, Mayor, Heber City. Midway Sanitation District – Vice-Clair Provost, Midway Sanitation District. ERG Group – John Rabideau, Mala Hettiarachchi Discuss plans for odor mitigation with the fall turnover. Engineering Updates (60 minutes) Capital Facilities Plan – Brad Rasmussen, Aqua Engineering. 1. Screen Progress – Brad Rasmussen, Aqua Engineering. Midway Lift Station Progress – Brad Rasmussen, Aqua Engineering. Dike Repairs - Jake Price, RB&G, Brad Price. Citizen Panel – discuss and possibly approve. (30 minutes) Communication Plan – discuss and possibly approve. (10 minutes) On-line communication with public. Board and Staff communication with legal team IT and Computer Security Policy- Discuss and possibly approve. (15 minutes) Manager’s Updates – Dennis Gunn (15 minutes) Other Business. Adjourn ELECTRONIC PARTICIPATION If you are interested in participating via electronic media, please contact Dennis Gunn at 435-901-2257, or email dgunn@hvssd.org or go to hvssd.org to be included in teleconference.   Published on the State Public Notice Website, www.hvssd.org, and at the Heber Valley Special Service District Administration Building. 
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