TEMPE, AZ — What’s that smell?
More than a year ago, ABC15 looked into the cause of a strong smell near Mill Avenue and Baseline Road. We learned it was due to sewer repair projects in the area.
Residents in Tempe have reached out to ABC15 again with the same complaints, so we asked city officials what was to blame.
We learned there are multiple new sewer projects making needed improvements in Tempe and Mesa.
When ABC15 reached out this week about the smell coming from a project at Baseline Road and College Avenue, Tempe officials released a statement that said, in part:
“City of Mesa is working on a sewer infrastructure project that has resulted in some odor near Baseline between McClintock and College. Tempe has received reports of odors in the area and is addressing the odor by working with Mesa to install carbon air filters.”
Tempe also said they have other, separate sewer projects in the works in the area that “is not the cause of the recent odors.”
However, Mesa officials clarified Tuesday night that the project at Baseline and College is being managed by Tempe.
When ABC15 reached back out to Tempe for clarification, they said the project is run by Tempe but the smell was still coming from a Mesa city project upstream and wafting down through their pipes.
Tempe officials say they’re putting in many more carbon air filters to try and stop the smell.
Mesa does have a sewer project at Baseline and the 101. ABC15 crews didn’t notice smells at that location. Mesa officials say, for that project, they are “continually using odor control measures and instrumentation to monitor hydrogen sulfide levels.”
ABC15 is continuing to follow up with city officials for further clarification on the root cause of the smell and will update reporting accordingly.
The joint Tempe-Mesa Rehabilitation Improvement Project is ongoing and expected to finish in January 2025.
Watch Lillian Donahue's full report in the video player above.
