Landfill Odor Update – Violation Notice being Issued

The chart below demonstrates noxious odors from the Arbor Hills Landfill began immediately after Cell 6 was put into use in early July. As the odor complaints have grown, we have learned the Gas Collection and Control System (GCCS) for Cell 6 is not ready for use.  

The Gas Collection and Control System (GCCS) includes the wells and piping used to collect and control the harmful gasses generated by decomposing waste. The GCCS controls odors and minimizes releases of organic compounds.

 Waste should not have been placed in Cell 6 until the GCCS was ready for use.

Here is what we have learned:

  • EGLE has been responding and inspecting the operations at Arbor Hills based on the community’s odor complaints. EGLE is in the process of issuing a Violation Notice. EGLE commented they couldn’t believe how strong the odors were outside the landfill on Friday, October 6th, considering the high winds we were experiencing.

  • GFL reported they have installed temporary facilities (hoses?) to begin pulling a vacuum (i.e. extracting gas) from the GCCS wells in cell 6. These efforts do not appear to have made much of a difference based on the continuing odor complaints.

  • The recently negotiated Consent Decree with the Michigan Attorney General’s office requires corrective actions be put in place based on the concentrations measured on the monitoring system. GFL is not meeting this requirement.

The Conservancy Initiative urges EGLE to use the full enforcement powers contained in the Consent Decree to demand GFL expeditiously correct the issues. The consent decree contains stipulated penalties that should be demanded for failing to implement correct actions and for the violation(s) which is being issued. EGLE should use these provisions.  

Additional enforcement actions should be considered if community odors do not cease.

It is hard to believe a company with so many past environmental enforcement actions would consider starting a new landfill cell, which is closer to the aggrieved community, without having all the gas collection and odor control equipment ready for operation.  

Northville Township Supervisor, Mark Abbo, recently set up a meeting with US Congresswomen Debbie Dingell. A team from the township and The Conservancy Initiative updated Representative Dingell on the issues being caused by Arbor Hills. Representative Dingell was aware of the issues and promised her assistance. We thank Supervisor Abbo and Representative Dingell for the opportunity to provide this update and welcome their assistance.