"Essentially, we're asking for a little patience while we get this new environ- mental asset installed, and that we think it will make a great difference in the future." Jeff SchweitzerAmerican Crystal Sugar Co. spokesman

Construction is under way at the American Crystal Sugar Co. factory in East Grand Forks on a new waste water pond that will be fitted with a cover that traps odor.

The cover will trap odors and prevent them from escaping the 2.6-acre wastewater pond, said Jeff Schweitzer, American Crystal Sugar Co. spokesman.

Construction on the pond already has begun, and the $3 million cover will be fastened over it before the beginning of sugar beet processing this fall.

Joel Smith, American Crystal Sugar Co., regulatory relations manager, has sent letters to "neighbors" of the East Grand Forks factory telling them that until the new wastewater pond cover becomes operational Sept. 1, there still will be a potential for some odors.

"We believe the potential for odors will be moderate - due in part to good sugar beet storage, a normal-length processing season, manageable wastewater volume, and, as always, our ongoing odor-control efforts," Smith's letter said. The cooperative plans to finish processing about mid-May "effectively eliminating odors from deteriorating sugar beets and factory operations."

After processing is completed, the factory no longer will add volume to its ponds. Wastewater treatment should conclude in June, the letter said.

"Essentially, we're asking for a little patience while we get this new environmental asset installed, and that we think it will make a great difference in the future, " Schweitzer said.

The East Grand Forks pond cover will be similar to one placed over the Moorhead factory district's wastewater pond in 2003. The cover seals the odors and gases which later are vacuumed off and burned with a flare, Schweitzer said. There have been few, if any, customer complaints since the cover was placed over the Moorhead wastewater pond, he said.

"We have had no discernible odors as a result of the wastewater pond cover," he said.

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