LOWER SAUCON TWP., Pa. — “Smells like a rotting body.”
“Obvious landfill smell while walking kids to day care.”
“Smells like a pile of wet baby diapers.”
“Gassy, methane odor. At home and while driving all the way to Easton.”
These are just a few snippets from a list of odor complaints as shared by the Bethlehem Landfill at the April landfill committee meeting in Lower Saucon Township.
The log documents over 160 complaints dated Jan. 5 through March 31, from addresses in Lower Saucon, Hellertown, Freemansburg, Bethlehem Township and the outskirts of Easton.
The Bethlehem Landfill, despite its name, is located just outside the city at 2335 Applebutter Road in Lower Saucon.
And the Bethlehem Wastewater Treatment Plant is less than two miles west of the landfill along Shimersville Road, which some have said could contribute to those in the Freemansburg area submitting complaints.
The state Department of Environmental Protection has received 266 odor complaints since the turn of the year, with a majority of those from surrounding areas of the Bethlehem Landfill such as Steel City — but also including Hellertown and Bethlehem Township.State Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson Colleen Connolly
A February letter from the state Department of Environmental Protection highlighted odor investigations conducted in January. It notified landfill operators of violations of solid waste management and air pollution laws, and required a proposed plan and schedule to address the problems.
State DEP spokesperson Colleen Connolly told LehighValleyNews.com that both a DEP engineer and inspector have identified the odor smells are from "inadequate daily and/or immediate cover, specifically in the southeastern area" of the landfill.
Her department has received 266 complaints since the turn of the year, with a majority of those from surrounding areas of the landfill such as Steel City — but also including Hellertown and Bethlehem Township, she said.
Handling the smell: A process
Landfill attorney Maryanne Garber said operators are looking to get ahead of future odor reports with new action in the coming months.
“Bethlehem Landfill is proactively installing up to 12 landfill gas extraction wells sooner than regulations require due to the odor reports,” Garber said in an emailed statement.
“These extraction wells will be installed by end of summer at the latest.”
“Bethlehem Landfill is proactively installing up to 12 landfill gas extraction wells sooner than regulations require due to the odor reports. These extraction wells will be installed by end of summer at the latest.”Bethlehem Landfill attorney Maryanne Garber
DEP's Connolly also said her department has noted "an improvement" in the odor conditions since the landfill implemented temporary capping measures in the troublesome areas.
"It is anticipated that upon completion of the landfill gas collection well installation, the odor conditions will further improve," Connolly said.
Lower Saucon Councilwoman Victoria Opthof-Cordaro said at the April 30 landfill committee meeting that she hoped to see progress on the matter and an end to the odors once the wells are drilled.
"It is anticipated that upon completion of the landfill gas collection well installation, the odor conditions will further improve."State Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson Colleen Connolly
She said the landfill has been proactive in attempting to mitigate the odors, and that the process can take time.
“It is the nature of the business that we have to contend with when we have a landfill,” Opthof-Cordaro said.
“And I wish there was a different way to deal with it. But unfortunately, we can’t.”
Other odor mitigation efforts from the landfill include the following, according to Garber:
- Covering waste each day using soil and other materials approved by the state DEP;
- Compacting the waste to cut back on its total surface area;
- Capturing methane and other byproducts of decomposing waste using an advanced collection system;
- Distributing deodorizing agents or odor-neutralizing substances to mask or eliminate the smell;
- Preventing liquids from getting into the ground with a composite liner and leachate collection systems;
- Promptly identifying and addressing odor issues; landfill staff make daily and weekly inspections to make note of problem areas and handle issues, while DEP and the township’s host municipal inspector also check in regularly.
Making use of landfill gas
The natural decomposition of trash generates methane and carbon dioxide, which the landfill collects and controls, dump officials say.
These current and future additions to the landfill gas system will work alongside a new renewable natural gas facility, with the goal of reducing CO2-equivalent emissions in areas surrounding the landfill.
“Archaea Energy, our vendor, estimates the RNG facility will supply enough natural gas to the local community for approximately 6,250 homes per year."Bethlehem Landfill attorney Maryanne Garber
The RNG facility will turn the gas into a “pipeline quality standard” and inject it into pipelines in the area.
“Archaea Energy, our vendor, estimates the RNG facility will supply enough natural gas to the local community for approximately 6,250 homes per year,” Garber said.
The RNG facility also was announced as part of the landfill’s spring 2024 newsletter.
Over the hill and through the woods
For those residents across the Lehigh River from the dump who still smell the odors, certain weather conditions could be to blame.
Heavy winds, low cloud cover and broader humid conditions can make the smell of landfill gases travel further than normal, according to Scott Brown, township host municipal inspector from Hanover Associates.
Per one resident who lives just north of the river along Wilson Avenue: “There is a constant, strong methane gas/garbage smell emanating throughout the township. While we are not experiencing acute health issues at this time, my fear is that prolonged exposure to these pollutants will affect my family.”
“There is a constant, strong methane gas/garbage smell emanating throughout the township. While we are not experiencing acute health issues at this time, my fear is that prolonged exposure to these pollutants will affect my family.”One Bethlehem Township resident on the landfill smell
Another local further inland in Bethlehem Township said the “entire” area surrounding Miller Heights and the Bethlehem Township Community Center was draped with the landfill smell: “[The] air was nearly unbreathable and made it into my vehicle even with filters activated. My four-year-old child began coughing immediately upon going outside.”
Patty Pologruto, who lives along Farmersville Road in Bethlehem Township, said the odors have been around for some time now.
“It's been an issue for at least six months,” she wrote in an email. “Bethlehem Township residents have filed multiple complaints with the DEP, including me.”
Township Manager Doug Bruce said complaints “rarely” are called in directly to the township.
Reporting the smell
The Lower Saucon Township website says residents should report odor, noise, or any other complaints involving the Bethlehem Landfill directly to DEP.
The DEP Northeast region hotline can be reached at 866-255-5158, Option 2. Even though the recording on the line says it’s for emergencies, residents should still use it for any relevant complaints.
It’s recommended to report the complaints as soon as possible since weather, wind direction and other factors can change conditions before an investigator can be on the scene.
Connolly said state residents can call 570-826-2511 any time of the day or night to file a complaint.
The landfill has a community hotline where complaints go directly to staff. That can be reached at 610-317-3200, Option 4.
If a landfill or natural gas odor is inside your home, immediately call 911.
