Tracking source of stink in south London will require 24-7 high-tech surveillance
City council will consider spending $303,990 to participate in a first-of-its-kind monitoring network to detect and predict the periodic rotten odour in neighbourhoods south of Highway 401.
“We will now have a technology that will be sniffing 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” explains Jay Stanford, director of Climate Change, Environment and Solid Waste.
Stanford recommends adding City Hall’s W12A landfill to a new detection network for three years.
Odour sensors and a new weather station would be positioned around the perimeter of the landfill to detect hydrogen sulphide, a foul smelling gas.
“(We’ll be) able to predict and reduce odours at the W12A landfill site,” says Stanford.
The detection network includes participation by the StormFisher Environmental biofuel plant, the Convertus composting facility, and the City of Toronto’s Green Lane landfill.
A decade of failed attempts by City Hall and the province to snuff out the stink, however, has Brockley resident Allan Tipping skeptical of the latest plan.
“I live five kilometres from W12A and I smell it here,” says Tipping.
He believes City Hall is simply trying to satisfy provincial concerns about expanding the landfill.
“They have to prove that they are protecting the environment around (the W12A landfill),” he adds. “This doesn’t really protect it, but it gives (City Hall) technical data to say this wasn’t our smell.”
The city is undertaking an environmental assessment to extend the lifespan of the landfill by 25 years (to 2049) and increase the height by 26 metres.
Stanford asserts the intent of the monitoring network is to build on recent success reducing odour complaints.
“This has been one of our best years ever, the technology we are bringing in will help us better understand why.”
Though he doubts the technology’s effectiveness, Tipping hopes to be nearing the end of a decade of odour-spoiling outdoor activities.
This summer he’s only called in two or three odour complaints to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
“I’m actually enjoying my summer here. My pool has been open. People are coming over again.”
If approved by council later this summer, the detection system will begin operating in October.
All current odour enforcement and abatement activities in south London will continue in the area.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.