Williston Stinks: Why Some Mornings Have Been Quite Pungent

Dear Williston Residents,

We hear you. We know that when you step out of your door in the morning, take that first deep breath, and are greeted by a smell reminiscent of sewage, it’s not exactly the fresh North Dakota air you expect. It's frustrating, we don't want it to happen. But it is. So let's talk about why.

That unpleasant odor isn't just in your head, and it's not a one-time fluke. The culprit here? Our wastewater lagoons. For those unfamiliar with how these lagoons work, they’re a critical part of our city’s wastewater treatment system. And unfortunately, sometimes, they remind us they’re out there in the worst possible way: by sending their not-so-sweet aromas drifting into the city.

What Are Wastewater Lagoons?

First, let’s break down what a lagoon is. Wastewater lagoons are large, man-made basins designed to treat sewage and other wastewater. Think of them as a natural filter for all the stuff we flush and wash away daily. Instead of rushing that waste through mechanical plants, which cost an arm and a leg to maintain, the lagoon system relies on good ol’ nature—bacteria, oxygen, and sunlight—to break things down over time.

When these systems work well, the breakdown process produces minimal odor. The problem? Sometimes, nature needs a little more time than we’d like, and the bacteria responsible for breaking down waste produce gases like hydrogen sulfide (yes, the one that smells like rotten eggs) in the process.

Why Does It Smell Worse in the Morning?

Here’s where things get interesting. Or frustrating, depending on your mood. The unfortunate reality is that the smell tends to get trapped closer to the ground at night and in the early morning. This is due to something called temperature inversion. Normally, warm air near the ground rises, taking odors with it. But during a temperature inversion, the opposite happens. A layer of cooler air gets trapped close to the surface under a layer of warmer air, keeping odors like those from the lagoon hanging around your neighborhood instead of floating away into the atmosphere.

Add in the fact that wind speeds are often low in the morning, and you’ve got a recipe for stagnant air, allowing those foul smells to linger longer than anyone would like.

Why Does It Drift Into the City?

The lagoons are located outside of Williston, but in moments of still air or an unfortunate wind direction, the smells can creep into town. While the lagoons are meant to serve us, treating the wastewater we all contribute to, the very nature of the system means there’s always a chance the smells will reach the communities they're designed to support.

While our current system is only operating at around 50% capacity, changes in weather patterns don’t always align with the original placement of these systems. So, when the breeze blows just right—or wrong—the smell gets carried from the lagoon straight into our streets, homes, and nostrils.

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What Can Be Done?

Aeration systems, which help pump oxygen into the lagoons and speed up the breakdown process, have been installed by the city. However, these systems aren’t perfect, and occasionally we smell the result. As the city continues to grow, so does its demand on the wastewater system, and unfortunately, that can mean more smells.

In the meantime, we know it’s not pleasant, and we’re working on it. But please understand, Williston, that while the smell is unavoidable right now, it’s also a sign of the system we rely on functioning.

We hear you, and we smell it too.