Mitigating Odors in Areas of Mixed-Use Development SWANA Western Regional Symposium Presented by Nan Natanom-Harrold, PE April 12, 2016
Overview • Introduction to OC Waste & Recycling • Olinda Alpha Landfill Site and Surrounding Land Uses • Complaints and Resolutions • Moving Forward “There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors [of perception].” - Ray Manzarek of The Doors
County of Orange Waste Disposal System • 34 cities covering 798 square miles • More than 3.1 million residents Third largest county in state • Own and operate two of the • top five largest landfills in the state • Per Capita Disposal – 4.6 pounds/person/day
Olinda Alpha Landfill Site Opened in 1960 near Brea • Owned and operated by County of • Orange • 453 acres permitted for disposal - one of the largest landfills in California • Accepts non-hazardous municipal solid waste only • Maximum permitted disposal rate of 8,000 tons/day Average disposal rate of 6,800 tons/day • 32.5 MW combined cycle turbine plant • • 5 MW IC engine power plant and flaring systems on standby
Surrounding Land Uses Olinda Alpha Landfill Disposal Area 32 MW Combined Cycle Flares, IC Engine Plant & LFG-to-Energy Plant Condensate Storage Tanks Active Oil Fields Horse Stables Olinda Ranch Neighborhood (former oil field – methane vent City Park system installed) County Park Interceptor Sewer
Timeline of Development near Olinda Alpha Landfill 2001 Portion of Brea-Olinda oil field 1970s 2012 closed. Methane collection and Early 20 th Carbon Canyon CTG plant commences vent system installed Century Interceptor Sewer and operation, begins Brea established pump station constructed discharging condensate as an Oil Town and graywater into sewer 1960 2012-2014 Olinda Alpha Landfill Numerous odor begins operation complaints received 2002 from homeowners Olinda Ranch housing tract 1980s constructed 5 MW IC Engine Plant begins operation
Olinda Ranch (1930s) Olinda Ranch (Present Day)
Complaints and Resolutions Issue: Condensate Discharge Odors (2012-2014) • The Complaint – Numerous odor complaints received after CTG engine plant Olinda Alpha Landfill commenced operation in November 2012 and began discharging treated condensate to sewer • The Investigation – Consultant performed odor studies to quantify odor thresholds, identify meteorological factors and potential sources Olinda Ranch Neighborhood – Sanitation District measured hydrogen sulfide in sewers Interceptor Sewer
Complaints and Resolutions Issue: Condensate Discharge Odors (2012-2014) • The Resolution – Engineering Controls Implemented • After initial complaints in 2012, plant operator temporarily ceased discharging and hauled condensate offsite instead • City sealed vented sewer manholes • Plant operator experimented with adjusting condensate discharge schedule • Plant operator experimented with different treatment approaches: first sulfide scavenging product, later hydrogen peroxide • Plant operator reduced chemical odor by removing masking agent from its treatment program and testing new products • Sanitation District shocks sewer with caustic as needed
Complaints and Resolutions Issue: Condensate Discharge Odors (2012-2014) • The Resolution (continued) – Public Relations Best Practices • Monitor odors weekly in neighborhood • Extend invitations to complainants to visit facility to help identify odors • Maintain webpage to update residents regarding operations • Established opt-in email notification feature • Developed fact sheet about OCWR’s Good Neighbor Policy and distributed via webpage and Homeowner’s Association newsletter
Complaints and Resolutions Issue: Ether-like Odor at Major Intersection (2013) • The Complaint – Passing driver smelled “sweet liquor odor” reminiscent of ether; called 911 Olinda Alpha Landfill • The Investigation – Brea Fire captain immediately contacted plant operator – Plant had just begun discharging condensate to sewer at 5% concentration using a new type of deodorizer • The Resolution Valencia-Lambert Intersection – Plant operator ceased discharging as soon as complaint was received – County contacted complainant, who was pleased to receive a response and know that her call prompted a solution
Complaints and Resolutions Issue: Indoor Sewage Odor (2013) • The Complaint – Sewage- type odor detected inside resident’s house • The Investigation – Resident noted odor was particularly strong in upstairs guest bathroom • The Resolution – County personnel suggested J-trap may have dried out, permitting emissions of sewer gas. Recommended filling J-trap periodically – No further complaints since this suggestion was made
Complaints and Resolutions Issue: Sewage-Type Odor in Brea Hill Area (2014) • The Complaint – Resident in Brea Hill area filed multiple odor complaints Olinda Alpha Landfill • The Investigation – AQMD inspector responded to late night call, noticed sewage and horse stable odors – Confirmed odors were not coming from landfill Brea Hill • The Resolution – City found that sewer main was broken – City installed temporary bypass and permanent repair Interceptor Sewer
Complaints and Resolutions Issue: “Foul Smell in Olinda Ranch” (2015) • The Complaint – Repeat complainant complained of “putrid odor coming from the landfill” Olinda Alpha Landfill • The Investigation – Landfill staff came to resident’s door 15 minutes after complaint. No odor detected. – Landfill staff noticed manure piles at local sports park Homeowner • The Resolution Sports Park – Staff informed resident of manure piles and gave direct line to contact – No further complaints
Complaints and Resolutions Issue: Unidentified Organic Odor (2014 - Present) • The Complaint – “Strong sweet eucalyptus”/”garbage” smell experienced late at night by single Olinda Alpha Landfill receptor • The Investigation – County and AQMD monitored resident’s street for odors after closing, but no smell detected – Negative pressure at sewer manholes suggested above-ground source Homeowner – Sampled methane vent gas and monitored ambient hydrogen sulfide
Resident was unaware of methane vents in neighborhood, but stated vent smell was not what he was experiencing
Complaints and Resolutions Issue: Unidentified Organic Odor (2014 - Present) • Challenges – Complainant’s description of odors differs from that of other residents – Odors appear to be experienced locally – Odor study performed but inconclusive – Transient odors – “Gone before you know it” – Complainant was invited to visit landfill to identify smell, but repeatedly declined – Created complaint website
Complaints and Resolutions Issue: Unidentified Organic Odor (2015 - Present) • The Resolution(?) – County communicated regularly with resident • Updated resident on discussions with Sanitation District, City, AQMD, and plant operator – Repeat complainant finally visited landfill but was unable to conclusively identify a particular odor – After repeat complainant visited landfill, regulators have decided to not to pursue complaints further due to lack of evidence
Moving Forward • Potential additional studies: air sample laboratory analysis, historic wind flow analysis • County continues to maintain relationship with City, Sanitation District, regulatory agencies, plant operator and public to respond promptly when complaints are received
THANK YOU! Nan Natanom-Harrold, PE OC Waste & Recycling Wonnapa.Natanom-Harrold@ocwr.ocgov.com
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