Nicole Laslavic of Penn Street in Butler is one of several people who have complained multiple times about the sewage smell around their neighborhood.

Residents of Butler's west side may have a smell of sewage minimized in the next few weeks.

The Butler Area Sewer Authority outlined steps it will take to assuage an odor of sewage in the area of West Penn and Columbia streets in Butler.

Duane McKee, the authority's temporary executive director, said a meeting was held in which the authority went through a record of complaints regarding a sewage smell to narrow down the areas that need treated.

This follows complaints made in the past few months from residents on Columbia Street. One resident, Alysia Brown, said the smell has been an issue for years and recently made her physically ill.

McKee said the authority will send workers to 10 manholes in the next few weeks to apply odor-masking chemicals in the sewers, and then will seal the manholes.

Traps in sewage lateral pipes, which are located outside the home, can often stop a sewage smell from getting into a residence.

McKee noted that some of the homes on Butler's west side are older and may not have those traps.

A full report will appear in the Butler Eagle.