SANFORD, Fla. – Some much-needed improvements could soon be underway for Sanford’s troubled wastewater treatment facility.
At a meeting on Monday, commissioners will vote on funding to harden infrastructure against future hurricanes.
The $19 million loan would be from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and carries 100% loan forgiveness with no repayment provisions.
Commissioners will also vote to approve $3.5 million in city funds to install new clarifying equipment.
Monday’s vote will happen after workers spent months trying to fix a long-lasting smell problem.
[WATCH: Sanford leaders discuss how to fund new water treatment plant]
Residents began noticing the foul smell in September near downtown.
The city said an odor control unit at the plant near Lake Monroe went down, one of many repairs the plant needed, and it was going to take time to replace the unit.
A temporary fix was installed in October, but that exhaust fan failed.
[WATCH: Sanford residents frustrated as odor issue drags on; city awaits permanent fix]
A few weeks later, the city announced the installation of a permanent component to the North Water Reclamation Facility.
Residents have said they’ve noticed an improvement, but sometimes the smell returns.
“They did something to it, but then again, it all depends on which way the wind’s blowing too,” Kirby Kelley said.
The city has not said if the new projects would have an impact on foul odors emitted from the facility.
Commissioners will vote on the funding during their meeting on Monday at 7 p.m.