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The odor was coming from a sewer line that carries waste from the ethanol plant to the city sewage treatment plant

After neighbors complained for years about an awful odor, something is finally being done to deal with the smell coming from the sewer. The stink has been traced back to South Bend's ethanol plant.

In November, changes were being made at the New Energy Ethanol Plant to cut back on the odor into the air. New equipment was installed back then to alleviate the smell of fermenting grain that wafted from the plant.

Now, work being done underground will hopefully do the same. A two or three-square block area around Walnut and Euclid Streets has been a smelly spot for many neighbors. The odor of sour corn could be smelled, especially during summer months.

Assistant City Engineer Jason Durr says, "Some of the solid material they discharge from their plant actually accumulates within our sewer. Bacteria actually likes this type of material and it creates a obnoxious gas."

Durr says crews have pulled "corn mash" from sewer lines running from the ethanol plant. It turns out that waste from the ethanol plant on its way to the city sewage plant was getting clogged up because of a failed sewage gate.

According to Durr, disconnecting that cross-connection will help prevent the odor in the future.  Construction will close the intersection perhaps into March.

The city engineer's office has heard from other neighborhoods along the same sewer line. They say New Energy will install equipment next month to contain nearly all the solids now entering the city sewer system.

When new sewage pre-treatment begins next month, about 90% of the solids leaving the plant should be removed before it enters the sewer. City officials hope to then clean the sewer lines and get rid of any other neighborhood odor problems.