County health department lifts advisory near Crockett wastewater treatment plant

CROCKETT — The county’s health department lifted a health advisory Monday after staff tests found no sign of elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide near a wastewater treatment plant that had spurred residential complaints for several weeks.

In a statement Monday afternoon, Contra Costa Health Services said it would keep monitoring for any change after one-hour-average readings taken Sunday and Monday near the refinery at Port and Ceres streets and at John Sweet High and Carquinez Middle school campuses tested negative for hydrogen sulfide gas, which at elevated levels smells like rotten eggs or sewage.

Levels of the gas raised by issues at the plant, which handles community sewage and wastewater from C&H Sugar refinery, 1801 Dowrelio Drive, led health staff to issue an advisory Oct. 7.

Last week, a C&H official said the firm that runs the plant was working on next steps, including  upgrades to its reactors and motors to boost airflow.

“Contra Costa Health issued the advisory at a point when air readings in Crockett showed concentrations of hydrogen sulfide above .03 parts per million, a threshold at which people may experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea, or burning eyes,” the department said in part Monday, noting residents’ numerous complaints to regulators, including the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

“There have been no public complaints from residents since late Friday.”

The district said anyone seeking information about the plant’s operations may call C&H at 510-787-2121 or e-mail communications@chsugar.com.

Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.