People near the Barker Street Wastewater Plant report a persistent, taste-like smell. The city says higher flows and extended plant operation hours have increased odour, and staff are changing how the facility runs.
Residents near the Barker Street Wastewater Plant report a lingering odour described as so strong “you almost taste it.”
University of New Brunswick professor notes atmospheric conditions and wind affect how odour moves into residential areas.
Residents on Fredericton's north side have been dealing with a persistent odour they link to the Barker Street Wastewater Plant. The smell has been present for months and, according to people who live nearby, can be strong enough that "if you breathe through your mouth, you almost taste it."
Marc Colwell, the City of Fredericton's wastewater treatment supervisor, says the volume going into the plant has risen as the city's population has grown. He gave figures showing annual biosolids around 4,500 tonnes when he started in 2019 and about 6,000 tonnes now. To handle the increased demand, the plant is running about 25 extra hours a week.
The city says it is making changes to how the facility operates to manage the issue. Colwell indicated staff are putting in extra hours and adjusting operations to keep up with flows. The report does not list specific technical changes or timelines for reducing odour beyond these operational adjustments.
Residents describe the odour as lasting and intrusive, particularly when sludge trucks pass. The combination of higher volumes processed, altered operating hours and weather patterns forms the city's explanation for why residents are noticing the smell more often now.
The city acknowledged the problem and said it is changing operations, but the report does not provide a detailed timeline or technical plan for odour reduction, nor does it report measurements of odour levels or health assessments.
Residents near the Barker Street Wastewater Plant report persistent and sometimes intense odour that affects outdoor time. The city attributes the increased smell to higher wastewater flows, larger volumes of biosolids, longer operating hours, and weather conditions. Officials say they are adjusting plant operations to address the issue.
‘I would describe it as the worst smell you get at the seashore,’ the town administrator said
The MP for the area has raised the issue of 'offensive smells' at the landfill site, which the Environment Agency said is caused by composting.
The New Brunswick capital was voted the best of 32 regional winners by a team of "professionally trained flavour profilers," according to the city.
A nearby landfill site is under new ownership
According to one report, multiple fans at the Arthur Ashe Stadium struggled with the smell during the tournament over Labor Day weekend. The post Fan attending US Open disgusted by ‘sewage’ smell appeared first on KYMA .
The federal government has announced it will transfer $461 million to New Brunswick for infrastructure projects as part of a new agreement.
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