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Central Kentucky Landfill Odor Mitigation Process

We are aware that some nearby residents have expressed concern about odor emanating from the landfill. We are working quickly to address these concerns and, weather permitting, hope to complete our $1.5 million odor mitigation process by the end of March 2019.

The current odor issue is a direct result of our landfill nearing its design capacity. In 2012, we prepared expansion plans that would have negated any odor issues and ensured the safe and reliable operation of the landfill for the next 20 years. Unfortunately, our plans for responsible expansion have been repeatedly denied by local government leaving us where we are today.

Despite these costly setbacks, we remain committed to being a good neighbor for our fellow Scott County residents and are drilling new wells to address the situation as quickly as possible.

The Mitigation Process

Expanding the landfill is the only proper solution to ensure the long-term viability of the landfill and to deal with the current odor concerns. However, in the meantime, expanding our gas containment and collection system will decrease odor emissions. The new wells will then convert a significant amount of that gas into renewable energy for Toyota, our area’s largest employer.

What to Expect During Mitigation

Here’s what you can expect as we implement the odor mitigation process:

  • We are expanding our current gas containment and collection system by drilling 15 new wells and two replacement wells.
  • The entire process will take place on our current property.
  • All normal landfill operations will continue throughout the process.
  • There may be acute instances of increased odor during the process. This will be temporary as we drill and cap wells individually.
  • Weather permitting, we anticipate completion of this project by the end of March 2019.

Mitigation Project Timeline

Here’s what you should know about our project timeline:

  • We’re already well underway and plan to be finished by the end of March 2019.
  • We are drilling the new wells in a sequence to reduce odor release during the process. This is more expensive and time consuming, but we are doing it out of respect for our neighbors.
  • We strategically scheduled this project for this time of year as atmospheric conditions will help reduce odors as we drill the wells.
  • While the new wells will help mitigate the odor, the best long-term solution remains our proposed landfill expansion, fully on our existing footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

These odors are a direct result of our critical need to expand the landfill. Landfills work like a pyramid. Waste is stored on one level until it is full, and then another level is built on top of it. At this point, we have reached the top of the pyramid, and our landfill must expand. Our original expansion efforts were intended to address this, and had they been approved two years ago, these odors would not be an issue.

No, these odors are a common occurrence at landfills as organic matter decays.

We are drilling 15 new wells and two replacement wells at a cost of $1.5 million.

Yes. These wells are a common method of controlling odor emissions. We have similar wells onsite already.

Much of the landfill gas will be converted to renewable energy for Toyota to help meet their clean energy needs. Scott County waste is truly powering thousands of local jobs! Any excess gas will be safely flared off, a common landfill practice.

The odor mitigation project will be completed in 3-4 months. As each new well is completed, the odor will rapidly dissipate.

Absolutely not. Central Kentucky Landfill is privately owned and operated. We will bear the full $1.5M expense to benefit the community.

We will continue our efforts to responsibly expand the landfill on our existing property. This odor issue should serve as a powerful reminder of the need for our expansion.