Sewer odors eliminated at The Boulders
by Brian DiTullio

CAREFREE – A little bit of engineering and some hard work eliminated long‑standing sewer odor problems in The Boulders area.

Tom Nichols with Black Mountain Sewer Company spoke to town council Sept. 4 before giving way to a presentation on what the utility did to remove a lift station and put an end to persistent odor problems near the Carefree Inn Estates.

Nichols said, in short, the lift station was completely removed and all evidence of its existence taken away. The odor problem was eliminated through the installation of “air jumpers,” four‑inch pipes installed in four locations, two feet below ground, running manhole to manhole.

Debra McGrew, an engineer with Black Mountain Sewer, showed council before and after pictures of the lift station site, which now reveals only a manhole cover, and stated the company plans to do more landscaping.

“It’ll look like there was never a lift station when we’re done,” she said.

In response to a question about installing more air jumpers, McGrew explained that installation is the engineering solution to a flow problem created by the physical realities of the terrain and the system’s design in the Carefree Inn Estates area of The Boulders.

The problem, according to McGrew, is “turbulence” at the Boulder Drive‑junction manhole combined with a negative slope.

Mayor Wayne Fulcher said he has spoken to some residents who were affected by the odor problems and they are “in delight” over the fix.

Nichols informed council, responding to a question from the public, that Black Mountain soon would be undertaking the formation of a new master plan for the sewer system.

“We’ve done it in pieces before,” he said. “Now we’ll better understand how development will affect us.”

Nichols noted that the system is adequate to serve the area through build‑out, but that any excess flow can be passed on to Scottsdale for processing. He also said a new treatment plant is under consideration.

As for other sewer odor problems around town, the area behind Carefree Station Bar & Grill in the town core was mentioned, to which Nichols responded his company is aware of the situation and is trying to find a solution for that particular problem.

In related news, the council received a report on grease‑trap use by local restaurants. Building official Michael Tibbett said 85 percent of town restaurants are in compliance with the ordinance, but that number could be higher because he hasn’t yet received a report from every restaurant.

Tibbett pointed out there are only two restaurants, unnamed, that have not replied in some form to his letters. He indicated those businesses would be turned over to the town attorney if they do not respond soon.

Fulcher noted grease traps are required in restaurants by town code and that “the ball is in our court to enforce our ordinances.”