Community Corner
City Investigates Foul Odor Near River in Santee
The likely cause: Elevated water temps and nutrients trigger algae blooms, which then cause fish to die due to low oxygen levels.
A Santee resident sent a message to Santee Patch recently: "Can you tell me if the city plans to do anything about the HORRIBLE smell near the river bed that can be smelled all the way to Chuze Fitness? I go it the gym at 5am and the smell is HORRIFIC."
We relayed the message to Mayor Randy Voepel, who asked the city to investigate.
"Is it a sewer leak? Is it from the homeless camp? Is it from low river water levels and high heat? Is it from vegetation? Did something or some one die there? Did someone 'dump' the smell there? Is it from Obamacare?" the Mayor queried in an email.
Terry Rodgers, with the City of Santee, posted this on the Santee Patch boards Wednesday:
"The city of Santee is investigating a complaint from a resident about a foul odor near the San Diego River. City crews did not find a source, but our Public Services Manager says odor problems typically occur in late summer. Elevated water temps and nutrients trigger algae blooms, which then cause fish to die due to low oxygen levels. We'll keep an eye on it."
Have a question for the City of Santee? Send it to the Mayor at RVoepel@CityofSanteeCa.gov or Steven.Bartholow@Patch.com.
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