Residents in Crystal City and Festus are reporting a foul odor in the air that may be attributed to receding flood water.
Richard Cox, Crystal City Public Works commissioner, said today (July 18) that city workers smelled a manure odor.
He said the city’s Public Works facilities, including the water plant and sewage lagoons, are working properly and aren’t the cause of the smell.
“We were discussing it this morning,” Cox said. “The only thing we’ve come up with is it could be due to the flood water.”
Flooding from the Mississippi River covered some low-lying fields last week; the flood water receded Sunday.
“But there is still standing water,” Cox said. “We’re not sure, but maybe that’s what is causing the odor.”
Pamela Harlow of De Soto said she noticed the odor Thursday (July 17) while shopping at Shop ’n Save in Festus. “All through Festus and Crystal City you could really smell it,” Harlow said. “The smell is still there today.”
Harlow said she didn’t notice the odor in De Soto.
Cox said it’s hard to say how long the unpleasant smell will linger.
“Maybe the wind will change,” he said.