By Associated Press - Wednesday, January 25, 2017

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (AP) - A report released by Big Ox Energy says an ongoing sewer odor is not primarily because of wastewater from the company’s plant, but rather the below-code plumbing in dozens of South Sioux City homes.

The report released Tuesday says most of the homes reporting “rotten eggs” sewer odors either have insufficient or broken plumbing systems or are sharing a wall with other units that have below-code plumbing. Engineering firm Black & Veatch began testing last week for sulfur-related compounds in the homes that could be causing the odors.

Big Ox, which converts organic waste into methane gas, went online at Roth Industrial Park in September, The Sioux City Journal (https://bit.ly/2kiWmAK ) reports. Shortly after going online, many residents that share a sewer line with the park began complaining of the odor. About two dozen residents were displaced from their homes, and a dozen still remain in hotels.

Big Ox has been reimbursing South Sioux City for the displaced residents’ accommodations and out-of-pocket expenses.

The report said hydrogen sulfide gas is common in sewer systems and can be produced by a variety of industries similar to those existing in South Sioux City, but it shouldn’t be an intrusion if a home’s plumbing is up to code. Big Ox said other industries likely contributed to hydrogen sulfide levels in the sewer line after the company voluntarily went offline Nov. 1.

City spokeswoman Tina Mowry Hadden said the report helps officials gain a clearer understanding of why only some houses were affected.

“We’ve all wondered why some houses had odor issues and other houses did not,” Mowry Hadden said. “Whether or not that’s the only issue, we’re still trying to put the puzzle pieces together.”

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Information from: Sioux City Journal, https://www.siouxcityjournal.com

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