Intensifying odors from Midway sewage ponds spark health concerns

Hever Valley Special Services District Water Treatment Ponds have been the topic of conversation among locals due to increased concern over toxicity and potential sickness in residents in the surrounding areas. Photo: Hever Valley Special Services District

MIDWAY, Utah — Residents near the Heber Valley Special Services District (HVSSD) wastewater treatment ponds in Midway are expressing growing concern over increasingly frequent and intense odors emanating from the site, which consists of over 40 acres of ponds filled with treated sewage.

The issue has led to health complaints among the community, including flu-like symptoms and bacterial infections. According to an article published by KSL news, a local ear, nose, and throat doctor has linked these health issues to aerosols from the sewage, mentioning conditions such as sinusitis and bronchitis.

In response to these complaints, the community conducted a health survey and has been in communication with the HVSSD and county health department, prompting a study on air quality and health impacts by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Chris Smoot, Epidemiologist and Public Information Officer for Wasatch County Health Department, said the toxicity in question is hydrogen sulfide.

“They’re still finalizing their study designs before they go out to collect some samples to see if there’s potentially any kind of harmful levels of primarily hydrogen sulfide; that’s kind of your indicator chemical coming off of sewage, or wastewater, and the one that potentially could have harmful effects,” he said.

A 2018 study conducted by the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology found that exposure to hydrogen sulfide among waste water treatment workers was the cause of various health issues, including neurological and respiratory tract illnesses. In particular, hydrogen sulfide exposure was associated with cognitive impairment and neurological symptoms among the workers.

A meeting was held at the HVSSD location on February 27 for the Department of Health and Human Services to hear public comment on the issue. According to Smoot, the primary concern was odors.

“Especially at certain times of the year, pretty strong odors [are present], which disrupt activities and sleep and that kind of thing,” Smoot said. “But others were saying that possibly even illnesses, they felt like were possibly coming from those odors.”

The air quality study is potentially set to take place in April when the temps start to turn. This is the time of year when people have the most complaints of smell in the area.

“They’re wanting to start the air monitoring around the time of turnover,” Smoot said. “So when the temperatures shift and it starts to stir up and mix the waters, that seems to be the time when there’s the most odor, and the most concern. Turnover can vary from year to year. It’s in the spring, but in a warmer year, it might start in March, and on a cooler year, it might start in May.”

For more information on the study and for updates, visit the HVSSD website. For residents experiencing symptoms that live in or around the area, complaints can be filed with the complaint form on the HVSSD website.