ST. Clare County, Michigan – An innovative project aimed at solving two environmental problems at once has some St. Clair County residents concerned about their health.
When it comes to trash, Michigan ranks number one. A recent study found that Michigan dumps more trash per resident in its landfills than any other state. To make room for more trash, St. Clair County did something innovative, but now some residents say they're unwilling participants in the county's experiment. There is.
After Jill Hunt took over Pink Elephant Bar, she began investing money into improving the outdoor space. She installed a new horseshoe hole and spent about $4,000 on the fence, she said. But now, she said, her customers don't want to go out and some are avoiding her business altogether.
Her bar is less than a mile from the Smith Creek Landfill.
“Then the last few years have been very hard and very bad,” Hunt said. “It was said to make people feel nauseous. Their eyes were hot and their nostrils were stinging.”
It is normal for landfills to emit gases, as gases are released into the air as trash rots. The situation at Smith Creek Landfill is different because it is a research project. The county had been spraying septic tank waste onto the trash layer to speed up its decay.
Because of the perishable waste, the landfill produces more gas than other landfills, and people who live nearby say the gas is making them sick.
Local 4 investigators found that in the past six months alone, St. Clair County received 80 complaints and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) received 47 odor complaints. did.
Some of the violation notices from EGLE include high methane levels, not collecting landfill gas fast enough, and odor complaints. The Nov. 14, 2023 notice states, “Elevated concentrations of hydrogen sulfide have been detected at the surface of the landfill, possibly due to anaerobic decomposition of sewage sludge within the landfill.” .
Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, flammable gas that smells like rotten eggs. Exposure to low concentrations of the gas can cause eye, nose, or throat irritation. It can also make breathing difficult for some asthmatics. According to the EPA. It can also cause headaches, memory loss, fatigue, and balance problems.
Short-term exposure to high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide can cause loss of consciousness. The EPA said most people regain consciousness with no other effects. In some cases, you may experience long-term effects such as headaches, difficulty concentrating, poor memory, and decreased motor function.
Displays highlights of EGLE violation notifications.
Spraying septic tank waste into a layer of trash
About 20 years ago, St. Clair County spent about $2 million on a system that takes waste from septic tanks and sprays it into a layer of trash.
Matt Williams manages the Smith Creek Landfill.
“So, essentially, a research project is how it is characterized,” Williams says. “We have been operating the landfill as a bioreactor since around 2009.”
Septic tank waste causes trash to rot much faster than normal. Rotten trash will become smaller, freeing up space for more trash. When garbage rots, a large amount of gas is produced. The gas is siphoned into underground pipes and sold to a company that converts it into electricity.
“We earn a fairly steady income of $750,000 to $800,000 a year for the gas we provide to our partners.
Local 4 investigated and found records showing the county was spending more on maintaining the bioreactor than it was earning from gas sales.
In the first nine months of 2023 alone, St. Clair County paid more than $950,000 to CTI and Associates Inc., a Michigan company that designed and maintained the system.
Bob Fieritz lives about a mile from the Smith Creek Landfill. He said he has woken up before due to the smell and had his eyes burn.
Landfill manager Matt Williams said the gas is now under control, but residents remain concerned about the impact. There is a possibility that a lawsuit will be filed against the prefecture in the near future.
Please see the full PDF of the EGLE Violation Notice below.
The landfill's response to violations can be found below.
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