14 Responses to “a question about a funny smell”

1. posted by tim at February 10, 2006 10:49 am :
   

   I work in the Bottom, on E. Cary, and that particular smell is really a constant. In fact, I’ve been joking for over a year that they call it “the bottom” for a reason.

2. posted by john at February 10, 2006 12:09 pm :
   

   I know what you mean about the smell down there. I used to work at a certain restaurant on Main Street and some summer nights the odor wafting in from the open doors was definitely a little funky. I’ve never smelled it up here though, but we are a bit further back.

3. posted by Heather at February 10, 2006 1:22 pm :
   

   “That” smell can be smelled any time of the year from Shockoe Slip to the edge of Church Hill. It is especially “nice” on a warm sunny day. It is believed by most locals to be eminating from the canal or from the sewer system which the city has been promising to clean out since before Gaston.

4. posted by Anonymous at February 10, 2006 2:11 pm :
   

   One theory is it is naturally occuring sulfur in the groundwater. Deep well water has the same stink. The same smell can be detected in the spring-fed canals around the falls of the Potomac.

5. posted by NK at February 10, 2006 6:50 pm :
   

   My company has done surveys for Gaston damaged sites, and I’ve heard from some of out field personell that there is an exposed sanitary pipe at the foot of Church Hill leaking sewage. I’m not sure exactly where, and it has been about a year since I first heard the info, but it wouldn’t surprise me to find out the city hasn’t moved on it. I think it was near Gillies Creek, but I’m not sure.

6. posted by TommyT at February 11, 2006 11:27 am :
   

   I guess everyone knows the sewage disposal plant is located directly across the James River from Church Hill. Maybe we need a hotline number and have everyone call in a time and odor location when this happens. Nothing will be done unless we have documentation.

7. posted by churchhillrugger at February 11, 2006 12:44 pm :
   

   Also, and no offense to Bob at Captian Buzzy’s, but sometimes when he roasts coffee beans, there is a smell in that area. Bob usually roasts on Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays. I like the smell but some people may not.

8. posted by amy g at February 13, 2006 9:58 pm :
   

   roast coffee beans do *not* smell like sewage no matter how you slice it. . .

9. posted by Lynda South at February 15, 2006 9:29 pm :
   

   Listen up. Read TommyT’s comment about the sewage disposal plant located direcly across the river. This is where the smell is coming from, certainly not Buzzy’s, which happens to be my favorite coffee house. LJ

10. posted by 25th and franklin at February 25, 2006 5:39 pm :
    

    TommyT, do you have a number we could call? Might as well give it a try.

11. posted by 25th and franklin at March 29, 2006 4:44 pm :
    

    Here is a phone # for the sewage plant environmental compliance officer: 646-8940

    Did anyone notice the smell was back a few days ago? Late Sunday into Tuesday is what I noticed.

12. posted by john at April 2, 2006 4:27 pm :
    

    I’ve received this info through the contact form on this site:

    Here is the info on contacting the city about the smell if people are still interested in trying to log when and where it appears. Naturally, the city does not think it is responsible. Keep up the good work with the website.

    *****

    I am the Operations Supt. here at the Richmond Wastewater Treatment Plant.If at all possible can you give me the following information 1. days of occurence 2. time of day 3. wind direction if known The odor we believe was not coming from the plant. There are other odor sources near the plant and we are investigating any odors from the plant proper.

    Please feel free to give a call and we can talk about your concerns.

    Thank you

    Clair L. Watson

    Supt. of Plant Operations

    City of Richmond/DPU/WWTP

    1400 Brander St

    Richmond Va 23224

    804-646-8903

    804-646-0081 fax

    watsoncl@ci.richmond.va.us

13. posted by jc at April 2, 2006 6:30 pm :
    

    I don’t believe the smell comes from the plant. It seems to come from the sewer drains.

14. posted by 30th and broad at May 14, 2008 11:31 pm :
    

    I did a google search on what the hell is the funk hanging in the air next to my house here and magically found this old forum. It really stinks like sewage tonight. I notice the winds are from SSW at 7mph, guess that sewage plant is still going strong!

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