Since early 2022, the Chiquita Canyon Landfill (CCL) has been experiencing a subsurface reaction in an inactive or no longer used area of the landfill. The reaction is producing increased landfill gases and leachate (water that drains through and picks up dissolved substances from the waste). At times, the combination of increased leachate and landfill gases has reduced the effectiveness of the landfill’s gas collection and control system, resulting in increased and repeated unpleasant odors and odor complaints.

Nearby community members have reported thousands of odor complaints, along with health complaints such as headaches, dizziness, irritation of eyes, nose or throat, coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sleep problems. In addition, ongoing exposures to these unpleasant odors from landfill gases may cause mental stress, including feelings of anxiety, helplessness, discouragement, sadness, or depression.

In response, multiple local, state, and federal agencies continue directing the owners and operators of Chiquita Canyon Landfill to monitor, control, and mitigate the landfill gases and unpleasant odors from the reaction area.