Wrexham residents health at risk amid smell says councillor

Since October 2023, the Hafod landfill site in Johnstown has been subject to complaints from residents and councillors due to an ongoing "rotten egg smell". 

Complaints have been made to Natural Resources Wales (NRW), as well as the site operator Enovert by local councillor David A Bithell and Ken Skates MS.  

A statutory notice was issued on December 21, 2023 by NRW to Enovert, stating that conditions including leachate levels, landfill gas, and odour were being contravened.

Despite the notice being issued late last year, issues are ongoing in Johnstown, with residents still complaining about the persistent smell.

The housing and environment scrutiny committee at Wrexham Council are set to debate the management of the site in October. 

Now, Cllr Bithell has written to NRW stating that the health and well-being of residents is at stake and that the issue needs addressing immediately. 

Cllr David A Bithell

Cllr Bithell added: "I am writing to formally express my concern regarding the persistent and unpleasant odour emanating from the landfill site located in Johnstown.

"Residents have been experiencing significant discomfort due to the strong stench that has been lingering in the area for an extended period. You will recall the enforcement notice issued in December last year. 

"Despite previous complaints and the acknowledgment of the issue by the relevant authorities, the situation remains unresolved, negatively impacting the quality of life for residents in the vicinity.

"The odour is particularly overwhelming during the day making it difficult to enjoy outdoor activities, and, in some cases, even forcing residents to keep windows closed.

"I kindly request that Natural Resources Wales takes immediate and effective action to address this issue. It is imperative that the source of the odour is identified and that appropriate measures are taken to mitigate it. This could involve stricter regulation and monitoring of the landfill site’s operations or the implementation of odor control technologies.

"The health and well-being of the local community are at stake, and I urge you to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves. We are relying on NRW to ensure that environmental regulations are enforced, and that the residents of Johnstown can once again enjoy a clean and pleasant living environment.

"I would appreciate it if you could provide an update on the steps being taken to resolve this issue and any timeline for when the problem might be fully addressed. I am encouraging people to complain to the NRW hotline number."

MOST READ:

• Four men sentenced for their roles in 'cowardly' street brawl in Wrexham
• Main road in Wrexham reportedly blocked following crash
• Mum living in 'no man's land' catchment area unable to register newborn at GP

James McClymont, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Team Leader Industry & Waste Regulation for North Wales, said:  “NRW received several reports of odour in Johnstown over the weekend.

"NRW officers have visited Johnstown in response to the reports and the complaints are being investigated. 

“We fully understand the level of concern in the local community with regards to odour issues and we want to reassure people that we are taking this matter seriously.

“NRW officers continue to ensure that the Site Operator at the landfill site in Johnstown meet the requirements of their Environmental Permit. They are continuing to carry out works to enhance the utilization of landfill gas and reduce the potential for odours. We are also reviewing the Site Operator’s management procedures and they are to provide us with an updated action plan by the end of this week.

“We continue to encourage residents to report any odours believed to be coming from the landfill to NRW on 0300 065 3000 or via our online report it form our website.” 

Mark Silvester, CEO of Enovert, said: "On the evening of Sunday 11th August Enovert received 17 complaints of odour passed to the operator via the regulator Natural Resources Wales. The complaints predominantly related to Sunday evening between 4pm and 10pm. Enovert attended the site and undertook checks at 9:30pm on Sunday and again at 5am on Monday 12th August and at these times were unable to detect an odour. 

"The site’s gas extraction system and engines, used to capture landfill gas to generate electricity, were operating normally over the weekend other than for a period of 13 minutes between 6:10pm and 6:23 pm on the evening of Sunday 11th when one of the site’s two landfill gas engines were restarted having tripped on a temperature fault. Following restart, the engine had run continuously, and the trip is not thought to be related to the odour complaints.  During periods of engine downtime, whether for routine maintenance or in the case of a fault, all excess gas is handled by the site’s gas flaring system. The site was extensively inspected by Enovert at 7am this morning and no immediate odour source was found. 

"Enovert has contacted NRW to discuss the sudden and rapid increase in complaints and has agreed to undertake additional out of hours odour checks. Enovert has also agreed to provide a regular monthly site update, to NRW, detailing ongoing activities and works at the Hafod site which can be shared widely with local communities. 

"Enovert was issued with a Notice from NRW in December 2023 and told to improve capping, leachate management and gas extraction systems at the site.  Enovert has since completed works to comply with the notice and additionally also installed 2000 square metres of temporary plastic capping plus 7500 square metres of permanent clay capping.  The site is being progressively capped and restored and the gas extraction system extended as needed to capture gas in the latest areas of landfilling."