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'Landfill site could be causing town's eggy smell'

Sophie Parker
BBC News, Wiltshire
Google Maps A view looking down the road into the Hills Lower Compton Waste site. A sign for it to the left, with shipping containers behind a fence and green trees down the right hand side.Google Maps
The Environment Agency has conducted survey work as part of its investigation

Landfill site emissions could be causing an "eggy" pong which has been plaguing a rural town, an investigation by the Environment Agency (EA) has ruled.

People in Calne, Wiltshire, have described the smell as "gassy", "stagnant", "eggy" and "sulphurous". It has been permeating homes, even when windows are closed.

The agency found a site it regulates - Lower Compton Landfill, run by Hills Waste - is producing gas emissions due to infrastructure that needs improvement.

Hills Waste bosses said they have been making improvements, with most now implemented. An EA spokesperson said the odour was not conclusively caused by the landfill site, and investigations continue.

A view of the town centre with a bus going through, historic buildings down the road, a clock tower in the distance and there are two red phone boxes too.
People in the town have been complaining about the smell for months

The smell is reported to seep through the area in the early hours.

An EA spokesperson said its officers smelt the "substantiated odour on several occasions" and it was "likely to be landfill gas, from regulated activity in Compton Bassett".

It explained that the gas can contain hydrogen sulphide, which smell like rotten eggs, but does not necessarily mean it is harmful as humans can sniff it out at very low levels.

Regulation includes making sure odours do not leave a site or at least minimise it, while weather conditions can also change what can be smelt.

The agency conducted surveys at two landfills in the area and found emissions coming from Lower Compton landfill's gas and leachate infrastructure - the equipment designed to handle contaminated liquid from waste sites.

EA bosses said the the surveys are not conclusive and that this is not the "sole source of odour".

Hills Waste bosses said they are working closely with the EA, giving open access to the sites. Most of the improvement work has been completed and they are installing more engineering for landfill gas collection .

The company has also invited a liaison committee, which includes local council officials, to visit the facility.

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