Managing odor problems, taking care of old barrels and other waste at the Flat Creek treatment plant, and working with the state on remedies for a major sewage spill last summer continue as major discussion and action items for the Peachtree City Water and Sewer Authority (WASA).

WASA manager Larry Turner also told the authority at its meeting Monday that there is a "potential for complaints" because a new data-gathering system requires 50-foot poles along the "line of sight" route of information collection. Turner said the new SCADA system, which enables tracking of potential problems, requires stable poles and that the installations will be as "unobtrusive" as possible.

"We evaluated alternatives," Turner said, "even the treetop mountings like the BellSouth antennas, but the wind and movement and growth of the trees would affect the transmissions." He said he had checked with city officials and the poles are not in violation of any city regulations.

Meanwhile, the manager said he had met with homeowners in Interlochen and Rosemont about continuing odors. He said the "odor consultant" hired by WASA is in town this week and would be setting up a plan of continuous monitoring at some points and random sampling at others. A preliminary report of the findings should be available in about two weeks, he added.

Most of the old 55-gallon drums left at the Flat Creek plant site were empty, Turner said, but one which contained a liquid is being tested. Other waste cited by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) after a complaint from biologist Dennis Chase has been hauled off, Turner said, including some old mercury-vapor lights. Chase commented at the meeting that the EPD report would cite "many more problems" than the barrels. Turner said the hauling of the trash equipment cost about $2,000, and the test on the barrel's liquid about $1300. No result is yet available, he said.

Operations at WASA which came under fire after two major sewage spills last summer have been altered in line with EPD requirements listed in a "consent order," Turner said, but there are a few more steps in the process. A public hearing, tentatively set for March 16, will gather final evidence for EPD to decide whether WASA proceeds with operations as improved or "we throw this consent order out the window and start on another one," Turner said.

At the hearing, he said, EPD would make a presentation on their "understanding of the facts," WASA would respond, and then the meeting would be opened for questions and public comments. After the hearing is evaluated, EPD will make a ruling on the order, he said.

A second electrical power feed, part of the WASA plan to prevent spills which may occur from power losses, will be installed at Rockaway Waste Water Treatment Plant by Motor Engineering and Service Co. for $39,650. Other contracts awarded at the authority meeting included purchase of a vac-truck from Adams Equipment Co, for $176,599, and a commitment to clean and TV-monitor some sections of sewer pipe through Cross and Sons. Inc. at a cost of $36,779.60. The 19,000 feet of pipe included in the project are located along Ga. Highway 74 around Wisdom Road and Tinsley Mill, and the "basin" from Stevens Entry to Bridlepath near Ga. Highway 54.