‘Plastic odors’ in MP caused by sanitary sewer work

Plastic odors lingering in downtown Mt. Pleasant are because of work being done on sanitary sewer mains by Municipal Pipe Tool Company LLC, of Hudson.

Municipal Pipe Tool Company has been contracted by the City of Mt. Pleasant to repair damange to sewer mains in the area. Property owners in the vicinity of sanitary sewer work were contacted with a pamphlet explaining the extent of the work.

Crews with Municipal Pipe Tool Co. are installing pipe liner into the existing sewer pipeline. This form of trenchless sewer rehabilitation is quieter, safer and more cost-effective than traditional sewer replacement methods, according to Dan McCoy, with Municipal Pipe Tool Co.

While work is being performed, sanitary services will be temporarily sealed off. They will be reopened after the liner is cured, which typically takes six hours from when crews start lining the pipe.

Municipal Pipe Tool installs multiple liners a day in Mt. Pleasant.

Property owners are to run water down all drain lines to fill traps, which should avoid odor. They were also asked to limit their water usage during the lining progess.

While liners are being installed in a homeowners area, they should not flush toilets, take showers or baths, do laundry or dishes or operate sump pumps.

During the lining process, the sewer services to homes connecting to the line being lined are blocked off, so if the property owner were to use excess water they could flood themselves, said Bob Troutman in an email, with Warner Engineering Associates Inc.

If water is used, it will fill up the service line and has the potential of backing up into the building.

Traffic control has been provided where crews are working in streets to provide a safe work environment. Some night work has been required.

After trucks have left the area, water can once again be used.

Troutman said if the smell of fiberglass resin is in a business or house a trap is not properly working or drying. Odors should not be present if the sewer service is working properly.

Troutman said the problem is not the city sewer main but the homeowner's sewer service. If the smell is in a home or building, residents can contact City Hall at 319-385-1470; however, Troutman said the best advice is to fill traps with water, and if the smell lingers call a plumber.