Post Falls seeks to stifle smell

POST FALLS — The city began a $150,000 maintenance project this week to improve the odor control system at the Water Reclamation Facility, 2002 West Seltice Way, according to a press release.

As part of the project, a contractor will replace the bark chips in the biofilter, which naturally break down odors from the facility. The biofilter bark chips wear out every seven to 10 years and must be replaced. Replacing the bark chips will ensure the odor control system functions as designed, the release said.

While the biofilter is offline, the contractor will make other adjustments to improve the performance of the odor control system when it comes back online, according to the release.

The maintenance work on the biofilter will continue through Jan. 3. 

"During this time, nearby residents may notice an increase in odors," the release said. "However, odor control will improve significantly once the new bark chips are in place and the biofilter is fully operational in early January."