The usually still and silent waters of Palatka are stirring with activity—not in the river, but at the city's water treatment plant. Contractors have initiated repairs on two aeration towers at the R.C. Willis Water Treatment Plant, working to rid local water of a sulfur-like stench that's been wafting from taps. According to a recent announcement by the City of Palatka officials, the towers, showing the wear and tear of age, are critical in treating water pumped from Florida aquifers that tend to carry hydrogen sulfide, known for its "rotten egg" smell.

Shawn Bruneau, Water Plant Superintendent, detailed the issue, telling Palatka Daily News, "The water has an unpleasant odor due to hydrogen sulfide, which is essentially a sulfur smell." He assured residents that despite the olfactory offense, the water cleared all safety checks. "The state would never let us provide unsafe water, and I would never let a drop of water leave here that I would not drink or let my family drink. It's just unpleasant smelling right now."

Addressing the situation with the urgency it demands, the Palatka City Commission approved an emergency allocation of up to $300,000 last Thursday to refurbish or outright replace the towers. Bruneau puts the price tag at around $250,000, an investment that's anticipated to keep odors at bay for the next several decades. The plant, responsible for delivering some 1.6 million gallons of water daily, should see the fruits of these labors by next Monday as the upgrades are slated for completion within the week.

Speaking to the commission's decision, Bruneau expressed gratitude and a forward-looking vision. With regular maintenance, he expects the refurbished towers to be a boon for both the present populace and those yet to call Palatka home. "The City Commission has made this investment in the water plant for our future," he described the initiative's far-reaching implications. "These things need to be updated so we can move ahead, support new growth and provide better-tasting, better-smelling water to every citizen out there—something we all use every day. We’re making that investment in the water plant," according to the City of Palatka.