A strong stench wafting over from a wastewater treatment facility caused some schools to close Thursday in Newport, officials say. About 21⁄2 weeks ago, aeration equipment at the wastewater treatment facility in Newport malfunctioned, causing septic waste, town public works officials explained in a social media post on Facebook. “Aeration is a necessary part of the treatment process, as it helps stimulate microorganisms to break down waste,” the post said.
“When the aeration equipment is turned off, waste becomes septic, leading to unpleasant odors.” The system is currently operating part time, with air being reintroduced in the treatment process. “We are continuing to improve operations and aim to run the aeration equipment full-time soon,” the post says.
“Since aeration is a biological process that helps promote the growth of specific microorganisms, it will take some time for the system to fully stabilize and return to normal. “As this happens, we expect the odors to gradually subside.” The horrific smell impacted the town’s middle and high schools, with school officials confirming reports of “several students and staff experiencing nausea and headaches.
” The middle and high schools were closed on Thursday, allowing staff to perform a “full assessment and ensure the building is completely safe for our staff and students.” School officials said personnel with the Newport Fire Department checked air quality in the middle school, high school, and.