The Department of Environmental Conservation knows the likely source of the foul odors covering parts of the North Albany area.

NewsChannel 13 first reported about an unpleasant odor near the I-787, I-90 interchange in April. Since then, the DEC has been visiting locations that could be contributing to the smell.

On May 20, the Albany County Water Purification District (ACWPD) was slapped with a notice of violation. It states it’s because of a failure to minimize odors and nuisance conditions and properly maintain equipment.

The DEC received multiple odor complaints in The City of Albany and the Village of Menands and went to the plant to figure out the possible source of sewage odors. The state agency decided it is a source of unpleasant scents well beyond its proximity.

The water purification district is right next to the interstate on Canal Road S.

The DEC said it found out there were mechanical failures at the plant, that are used to treat the water.

The notice states, “each mechanical mixer within the sludge holding tanks failed. In leau of permanent repairs, the ACWPD replaced the mechanical mixing equipment with diffusers as a short-term solution, until long-term repairs are installed.”

Albany County Water Purification District Executive Director Angelo Gaudio, P.E. sent this statement to NewsChannel 13:

“The District is actively working with DEC to address the odor concerns at our North Plant.  We have already responded to the issued Notice of Violation and continue to monitor onsite hydrogen sulfide levels, which are typically associated with wastewater odors.  DEC is currently in the process of approving our proposed capital improvements to the North Plant, including a new sludge mixing system that will further help mitigate fugitive odors.  We trust that DEC will expedite this approval so we can move forward with critical upgrades needed to ensure future compliance.”