LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — In early September, crews began smoke testing in Lexington to address the strong sewer odor problem that at times permeates neighborhoods.

Contractors were spraying non-toxic white smoke into manholes, and when the sewer pipe cracked or broke, smoke would rise from the ground.

Smoke testing was completed several weeks ago, but residents are still expressing concerns.

“There seems to be an increase in odor complaints over the last few weeks, and that concerns me,” said Lexington Water Quality Director Charles Martin.

Smoke testing began on September 9, first at Meadowthorpe, then at Cumberland Hill and Pinnacle. Martin drew particular attention to the results at Meadowthorpe.

“We found in the old neighborhood that there was smoke coming out of people’s homes, which shouldn’t have happened. In some of the newer neighborhoods that we did later, the last time we talked, we didn’t encounter that kind of problem,” Martin noted.

At Cumberland Hill in September, Martin described complaints of an odor similar to burnt sulfur or a wet book of matches.

It now has more data to work with to address odor complaints in those three neighborhoods, but it’s a bit of a waiting game as the city works with consultants from Webster Environmental Associates.

“We’re still collecting the data. We’re waiting for the consultant to put all the data together for us, because they’re geocoding wherever they find problems,” Martin said.

Several residents walking in Veterans Park, one of the affected areas, continue to follow the city’s work on the next phase of sewer odor control.

“I hope it works, whatever they’re trying to do, I hope it works and I hope it’s money well spent,” Judy Craft said.

“It’s great that they’re proud to do this because a lot of towns wouldn’t do this for their own people, so it’s nice to know,” Charlene Golden said.

Staffing is also a big part of the story, and the creation of a new position, the Odor Control Manager position, is in the works, according to Martin. He will begin interviews for this position in the near future.