Sludge Watch ==> Michigan landfill - residents still complain of sludge stink

[Maureen Reilly]

January 30, 2007

Huron Township

Residents: No sludge but landfill still stinks

Firm plans improvements to alleviate odor

Christine Ferretti / The Detroit News

HURON TOWNSHIP -- Six months after Carleton Farms landfill stopped accepting 
shipments of treated human waste, neighbors say odors persist -- and are so 
foul state regulators need to crack down.

"It reeks so bad sometimes you can't come out of your house," said Russ 
Knight, who lives nearby in a neighborhood of million-dollar homes in New 
Boston.

Many hoped the stenches would cease when the landfill, in nearby Sumpter 
Township, stopped accepting sludge in August from Toronto, Detroit and 
Downriver cities. Instead, residents plan to petition the state during a 
public hearing Wednesday to step up permitting air quality permit 
requirements.

Landfill owner, Republic Services Inc., is seeking renewal of its five-year 
operating permit.

"Some comments we hear may alter the final permit," said Spokesman Robert 
McCann, spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Quality.

The landfill, which accepts all of Toronto's household waste, has been a 
source of contention for more than a decade. In September, Huron Township 
officials ticketed the dump for noxious emissions.

Sherry LaPeer lives nearly 2 miles from Carleton Farms and said she's 
attending the hearing to let Republic know the smell "is not always under 
control."

"We've had to call at least once or twice every two weeksit could be 23 
degrees out and it stinks," she said. Republic area engineer Brian Ezyk said 
Republic has been working on improvements to alleviate odor concerns since 
November.

This month, the company submitted upgrade plans to state and county 
officials to improve gas collection by adding three collection wells atop 
the 200-plus existing ones and 2 miles of pipes that would "eliminate any 
offsite odor," Ezyk said.

The pipes could be installed within four months.

"We listen to all the concerns of residents and strive to operate in 
compliance with the law," he said.

You can reach Christine Ferretti at (734) 462-2289 or cferretti at detnews.com.


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What's next


The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will host a public hearing 
about Carleton Farms landfill at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Huron High School, 
32044 Huron River Drive, New Boston.


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