Timpanogos to study solid waste options

AMERICAN FORK — Board members of the Timpanogos Special Services District voted Thursday to approve a 120-day study to examine alternatives to the plant's disposal of solid waste.

The four-month study, to be conducted by Bowen, Collins and Associates engineering firm, follows on the heels of a one-month study approved last month by the board seeking to determine the cause of the strong odors being emitted from the plant.

The plant currently composts 100 percent of the solid waste it receives, which is suspected to be the primary source of the disturbing odors.

Craig Carlile, legal counsel for the district, said the district has recently received two threats of litigation from land and business owners in the area who have registered complaints. The threats promised legal action if steps aren't taken to resolve the smell issues, Carlile said.

Rich Jones, a business representative who is responsible for one of the letters, said his letter was not intended as a threat of litigation. Jones said it was a statement expressing an interest in finding a solution to the problem.

Because of the perceived threat of litigation, the board declined to discuss publicly the details of steps the district plans to take and findings in the facilities study.