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Calgary Landfill's 'Burps' Finally Identified as Stench Source
5 Jun
Summary
- Landfill's leachate system identified as source of foul odor.
- Air monitoring over past year helped pinpoint the pungent smell's origin.
- City has sealed off gas access points in the leachate system to fix odor.
Residents in southeast Calgary have for years complained about an unpleasant odor resembling rotten grass. After a year of intensive air monitoring near the Shepard Landfill, city officials believe they have identified the source: the landfill's leachate system.
This system collects liquid from the decomposing waste to be sent for wastewater treatment. However, gases are released into the atmosphere through access points created during the landfill's construction. Sharon Howland, a city waste and recycling services manager, explained that the landfill essentially "burps" these gases.
Complaints from neighborhoods like New Brighton and McKenzie Towne surged in 2022, leading the city to deploy over 100 air sampling stations. This data, combined with weather patterns and resident feedback via 311, allowed for the triangulation of the odor's origin.
In response, the city sealed the problematic gas access points in May. While residents are aware of potential odors due to proximity to the landfill and other facilities, the recent intensification prompted action. The effectiveness of these measures will be assessed by the end of the summer, a period historically associated with increased odor complaints.
