THE APEX TIMES
The company said work to improve the landfill’s gas collection system may temporarily affect odor levels over the next several weeks.
Rumpke said people living near the Rowan County Landfill could notice stronger odors over the next several weeks while the company works on the landfill’s gas collection system. The notice comes as Rumpke prepares and conducts upgrades intended to improve how landfill gases are collected and managed at the facility, according to LEX18.
In its communication to nearby residents, Rumpke characterized the change in odor as temporary and linked it directly to the work process associated with the gas collection system. Odors from landfills can vary based on conditions such as weather and system performance, and the company indicated that the improvements may coincide with periods when odors are more noticeable in surrounding areas.
Rumpke’s statement was focused on advance notice for residents in the area rather than an emergency response. The company described the expected odor change as a matter of timing related to the construction activity and system adjustments, rather than as an indication that the landfill was operating outside normal parameters.
The Rowan County Landfill is a major regional waste-management site, and work on gas collection infrastructure can require coordination to minimize disruption. Landfill gas systems are typically designed to capture gases produced during the decomposition of waste, with the collected gas then routed for treatment or energy use, depending on the facility setup. Rumpke said its ongoing efforts are aimed at improving that collection function.
Residents who notice stronger odors during the work period were implicitly asked to remain aware that the changes were expected and connected to the construction activity. The notice directs attention to the possibility that odor intensity may fluctuate temporarily while crews make progress on the system, LEX18 reported.
For the next several weeks, Rumpke said the odor conditions could be more pronounced for nearby homes as the company continues its work. Additional public updates or changes in the timeline were not detailed in the report, and residents affected by odor during the construction period may need to monitor company communications for any further adjustments.
