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Landfill Odor Crisis: Chiquita Canyon Must Cover Site
7 May
Summary
- Landfill ordered to cover 639-acre site by August 31.
- Tens of thousands of odor complaints received since January 2023.
- Lawsuit filed over toxic gases affecting nearby residents' health.
Chiquita Canyon Landfill has been mandated by Los Angeles County officials to install a thick geomembrane cover over its 639-acre disposal site by August 31, 2026. This decisive action follows years of persistent foul odors and tens of thousands of health complaints from nearby residents.
Since January 2023, over 28,000 complaints have been logged, describing the smell as rotten and stomach-churning, with some residents reporting headaches and skin irritation. Regulatory agencies, including the EPA and South Coast AQMD, have issued multiple violations due to these issues.
Los Angeles County officials initiated a lawsuit against the landfill's owners and operators. This legal action was prompted by the discovery of toxic gases that can cause short-term health effects for the community living adjacent to the site.
Further environmental regulations require the landfill to identify the root cause of leachate leaks by 2025 and implement measures to prevent gas mitigation. Leachate is formed when rain contacts waste within the landfill.
