It's been a stinky pandemic for Nebraska City

NEBRASKA CITY – It’s been a stinky pandemic for Nebraska City and residents are asking for swift solutions.

Brenda Knickman, who lives near the downtown area on Fifth Corso, said social media has been busy with nauseated citizens complaining about the foul odor.

Knickman: “There’s a lot of posts on Facebook and Otoe County Swap and Talk about how awful it is, so I know I’m not the only one smelling it.”

She said the odor has come and gone all summer, but seems worse in recent months.

Knickman: "I can’t stand being outside. The weather is getting cold now obviously so I’m not outside as much, but I can smell it in my house in the middle of the night. Outside is one thing, but it’s in my house and it's really bad.”

Interim Nebraska City City Administrator Marty Stovall said the city continues to receive numerous complaints and, on a calm day, the odor blankets the city. He hopes Cargill Value Added Meats at 2601 Industrial Road will have solutions soon.

 Nebraska City Public Works Commissioner Paul Davis said Cargill is in compliance with what is flowing into the city’s sewer system, but the plant’s on-site lagoons are not working well enough.

Davis: “I know that we are fully aware of it and are working with Cargill and with the state to try and get that mitigated.”

He said it is possible that sanitizing chemicals used to keep the workers safe following the coronavirus outbreak have also reduced or eliminated bacteria needed for the efficiency of the outdoor lagoons.

Davis: “As far as a time frame, I can’t give you one of those. Like I said, I know we’re working as swiftly as we can. We are talking about thousands of gallons of waste that is being processed, so it does take a little bit of time. We are trying to figure out the quickest and safest solution to mitigate those odors.”

While water is a necessary component of the lagoons, The National Weather Service reports that it has been a dry year. Rainfall is running three to 14 inches below normal for most of the state.

Knickman said people have been patient, but want to hear if something is going to be done.

Knickman: “I think maybe if they just had an explanation of what it is, because right now we’re all just speculating.”

Davis said the city's waste water superintendent and state officials are doing what they can to help and said he is optimistic that there will be a remedy soon.