Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
California Outlines 15 Steps To Eliminate Odors At Chiquita Canyon Landfill
A Google Maps images of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill area.
(
Courtesy Google Maps
)
Topline:
CalRecycle, the state department overseeing waste management and recycling has outlined 15 steps the Chiquita Canyon Landfill must take to address odors — described as a “sour milk rotting,” “sweet rotting fruit” and “rotten egg” smell — that residents have been complaining about since May.
Mitigation measures: Among the measures outlined on Wednesday, Waste Connections, the company that manages the landfill, must place a soil cover of around 24 inches in the area where a "heat smoldering event" is occurring deep within the landfill. This smoldering is believed to be the cause of the odors. Wells that are damaged or blocked or have gas temperatures above 145 degrees must also be replaced with steel wells.
An independent health consultant must also provide long and short term health implications of the odors by early next year.
The Department of Public Health has given the landfill operator until Friday to respond with a mitigation plan.
Why it matters: Since May of this year, South Coast Air Quality Management District has been inundated with over 2000 complaints from residents Val Verde, Castaic and communities surrounding the Chiquita Canyon Landfill. It has resulted in a grant program for residents in the communities to be reimbursed for their utility expenses for some relief.
Climate change connection: Mark Pestrella, director at Los Angeles County Public Works, said they are still investigating if the combustion in the landfill is the result of the climate crisis.
Sponsored message
“The landfills across L.A. County and across the state have seen an increase in odor incidents related to that [above average] rainfall or just management of drainage systems being needed to be upped,” he said.
The climate crisis, he added, has increased temperatures and resulted in less frequent but higher intensity rainfall.
“This does create a situation in which the landfills may be infiltrated with water at a rate higher than they normally had seen,” Pestrella said.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
