Mixed-Use Development SWANA Western Regional Symposium Presented by - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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

Active Oil Fields Olinda Ranch Neighborhood (former oil field – methane vent system installed) County Park Olinda Alpha Landfill Disposal Area Flares, IC Engine Plant & Condensate Storage Tanks 32 MW Combined Cycle LFG-to-Energy Plant City Park Horse Stables Interceptor Sewer

Timeline of Development near Olinda Alpha Landfill

2012

CTG plant commences

• peration, begins

discharging condensate and graywater into sewer

2012-2014

Numerous odor complaints received from homeowners

2001

Portion of Brea-Olinda oil field

• closed. Methane collection and

vent system installed

2002

Olinda Ranch housing tract constructed

1960

Olinda Alpha Landfill begins operation

Early 20th Century

Brea established as an Oil Town

1970s

Carbon Canyon Interceptor Sewer and pump station constructed

1980s

5 MW IC Engine Plant begins

• peration

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 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 – Sanitation District measured hydrogen sulfide in sewers

Olinda Alpha Landfill Olinda Ranch Neighborhood 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

• dor” reminiscent of ether; called 911
• 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

– 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

Olinda Alpha Landfill Valencia-Lambert Intersection

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

• The Investigation

– AQMD inspector responded to late night call, noticed sewage and horse stable odors – Confirmed odors were not coming from landfill

• The Resolution

– City found that sewer main was broken – City installed temporary bypass and permanent repair

Olinda Alpha Landfill Brea Hill Interceptor Sewer

Complaints and Resolutions

Issue: “Foul Smell in Olinda Ranch” (2015)

• The Complaint

– Repeat complainant complained of “putrid odor coming from the 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

• The Resolution

– Staff informed resident of manure piles and gave direct line to contact – No further complaints

Olinda Alpha Landfill Homeowner Sports Park

Complaints and Resolutions

Issue: Unidentified Organic Odor (2014 - Present)

• The Complaint

– “Strong sweet eucalyptus”/”garbage” smell experienced late at night by single 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 – Sampled methane vent gas and monitored ambient hydrogen sulfide

Olinda Alpha Landfill Homeowner

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