MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – Residents have reported persistent odors emanating from the Mount Olive Villages Water Company treatment plant, affecting the quality of life in the community.
In response, Mount Olive Township has initiated civil action against the Mount Olive Villages Sewer Company, Inc., filing a verified complaint with the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division: General Equity Part-Morris County, according to Township Administrator Andrew Tatarenko.
The complaint seeks several forms of injunctive relief, including:
- Temporary, preliminary and permanently restraining Mount Olive Villages Sewer Company, Inc. from further continuation of the emission of odors and gases into the outdoor atmosphere, and otherwise committing and continuing to violate the Township’s Local Public Health Nuisance Code, the Air Pollution Control Act, and the NJDEP regulations governing air pollution and continuation of a public nuisance.
- The appointment of a New Jersey licensed Wastewater Engineer and Waste Treatment Operator to conduct a complete inspection of the sewage treatment facility and wastewater system and to prepare a report as the current status of the facility and devise a corrective action plan setting for all maintenance, repairs and upgrades to the sewage treatment facility and wastewater system and determine if a complete replacement is necessary.
- Establish a schedule to complete all recommended maintenance, repairs, upgrades and/or the complete total replacement of the system, and further issuance of a preliminary injunction to take any and all additional interim measures to prevent, protect, and mitigate against the continued emission of odors and gases into the outdoor atmosphere.
- Appointment of a custodian to receive rent and necessary accountants, to account for and collect all sewer service charges and make payments to manage and control the operation of the facility.
- Granting Township authorized representatives to conduct a complete inspection of the subject property.
- Complete all upgrades, repairs and/or replacement for any and all equipment at the subject property to bring the sewage treatment facility into a safe, adequate and proper operational order to prevent the continuation of odors, vapor, fumes, gases and other public nuisance.
“We will keep the community informed as this case progresses and will not rest until all complaints and concerns are adequately addressed,” Tatarenko said.
Residents experiencing nuisance odors are encouraged to report these incidents by calling the NJ DEP’s 24-hour environmental hotline at 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337). Following this initial report, please contact the Mount Olive Health Department at 862-419-4131 so the Township can conduct an independent investigation.
A spokesperson from the NJDEP told RNJ on Sept. 9, “The aeration system at the Mount Olive Wastewater Treatment Plant began having issues (based on the timing of the complaints from the public) in the June/July timeframe, causing sewage odors in the area of the plant. The DEP has confirmed that the facility operator finished replacing piping and diffusers last week to correct the situation. However, the plant operator has indicated that odors may continue as levels of bacteria needed for the treatment process are adjusted. Related to this incident, the DEP has issued an enforcement order pertaining to odors caused by the aeration system failure.”
To view the full complaint, click here.
