Oooo that smell! It’s the smell of death around Madill. For those that live, work, or frequentthissmalltownhave no doubt asked, “What is that horrible smell?’.
This odorific offense had been an ongoing issue for quite some time now. Some residents say it has been a problem for more than 20 years.
The record temperature this last summer definitely added to the already prevalent problem. There are several theories and a lot of speculation going around.
So, what is the issue?
It all comes down to sewage. The people at Madill's wastewater treatment plant located on the north side of town have a big problem on their hands.
With the town growing in population every year, the infrastructures are really getting a workout. Multiple residents and businesses are affected daily by the horrible odor that lingers in the air outside and creeps in through the plumbing.
There is chatter on local social media about how it smells of dead animals or rotting flesh. With residents on the north side of town getting the worst of the situation as they are near Little Glasses Creek.
Thewastetreatmentplant was permitted by the Department ofEnvironmentalQuality (DEQ) in 2016 to begin discharging treated water in the creek, which runs behind the plant. Kelly Quan, resident andownerofEnvyNails, stated that the odor is more noticeable late at night and early morning hours.
Wilbert Ramirez agrees with his fellow resident. The Rameriz family has lived in Madill since 1994. They moved to the northeast side of town in 2011. Ramirez stated that there have been issues in the area regarding storm drainage backing up and sewage pipes needing maintenance.
He said the city always addresses those issues in a timely manner, but this one problem seems to be getting worse. After his 13-year-old daughter woke up in the middle of the night nauseous and throwing up from a smell that was seeping into his family's home, he knew he had to take a more active role in thecommunitytoaddressthe issue. He started a petition and took it to the last city council meeting.
“I went knocking on doors, I have never done anything like this,” Ramirez said. “I’m not wanting to point fingers; I just want answers.”
As do many of the residents in town. There have been multiple calls and complaints to DEQ and the city of Madill regarding the odor. There is no doubt that this issue will be brought up again at the next city council meeting on October 9.
Here is what The Madill Record found out: On September the 6, the DEQ did issue a notice of violation to the city of Madill regarding the permit which allows them to discharge treated water into Little Glasses Creek. According to the permit they had been in violation for April and May 2023 detecting above permitted levels of ammonia, dissolved oxygen, “TSS” total suspended solids, and “CBOD5” carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand.
What does that mean for the residents of Madill?
According to a representative of the DEQ, “Odors do not have a state regulatory statute and are therefore very difficult to resolve and prove. They are subjective in nature.”
The representative also said that the meat processing plant, ERSO, was a contributor to the issue. It was confirmed that they are also contributing to the odor by way of industrial waste that is being washed into the sewer.
On April 17, the DEQ issued a notice of violation to ERSO for reporting incorrect monitoring data for the permitted waste disposal, as well as exceeding permit limits of waste disposal in the months of January and February 2023. Then, on September 13, the DEQ filed a consent order to resolve certain environmental problems due to the continual exceeding permitted limits of waste disposal in the months of March, April, May, June, and July.TheDEQhasrequested to work with ERSO and the City of Madill to resolve all environmental issues.