‘If you smell something, say something’

Suez tracking odors from Cedar Creek plant into Wantagh-Seaford

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Wantagh and Seaford residents — some of whom have raised concerns about foul odors wafting from the Cedar Creek Sewage Treatment Plant onto local streets — will soon be able to track the movement of the smells online, according to Suez Long Island.

At a Cedar Creek Oversight Committee meeting on Sept. 21, several people told representatives of Suez, which began operating the county-owned plant last year, that odors from the facility are making their way to their blocks and backyards. Officials explained that although they have an electronic system to detect and manage odors — which has compiled data that will be accessible to the public online in several weeks — residents should call (866) 224-8508 when they smell something foul.

“If you smell something, say something,” said Michael Martino, spokesman for Suez. “We need to know if there are issues, and Suez will respond quickly. There is nothing — nothing — more important to Suez than the environmental health and safety of the residents, the environment and our employees.”

After Plant Manager Dan Ryan explained the sewage treatment process, two Wantagh residents — Michael Curcio and Steve Frascatore — asked why their neighborhood regularly stinks, and what could be done to eliminate the odors. Curcio, who lives on Beech Street, said he has noted odors of both excrement and bleach on the block since he moved into his home 11 years ago.

“It impacts your quality of life,” he explained. “You come home from work and want to barbecue, but you can’t eat outside because of the smell. It’s embarrassing to have people over sometimes.”

Martino urged Curcio and all residents to call Suez and file complaints so officials can keep track of problems and do whatever they can to resolve them. (The Beech Street issue was investigated the next morning, Martino said on Sept. 23, and the sewer lines were cleaned.)

At the meeting, Frascatore noted that many neighbors didn’t know how to reach Suez, and that his call to the 866 number was not returned. Martino apologized, and promised an aggressive response whenever calls are made. Curcio said he only learned the phone number a few months ago, and added that other residents still might not know the line exists, or that the complaint line changed after Suez took over.

Phil Franco, president of the Seaford Harbor Civic Association and a member of the oversight committee, said he would publicize the number through his civic activities. Suggesting that Wantagh residents note the wind direction when they smell something foul, he explained that other things might be causing it.

“I’ve only smelled the plant three times this whole year,” Franco said. “There could be something else going on there.”

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