OC Waste & Recycling Informational Update
For comments, questions, or concerns for OC Waste and Recycling, visit their website. Residents can also report complaints to AQMD via their online complaint system at aqmd.gov/complaints or by calling 1-800-CUT-SMOG (800-288-7664).
October 2021 Update:
OCWR created a user-friendly, custom app, called the Neighborhood Support Portal (NSP), to respond to inquiries and complaints. The NSP system enables OCWR to capture and document odor events to conduct a root cause of a potential source. Submissions to the NSP set into motion a chain of events. The information is simultaneously received by Strategic Communications, Site Staff, Operations, Engineering and Environmental Compliance. OCWR Strategic Communications manages the neighbor communication, while site team members launch an investigation. The site team collects information from operations, collects weather data, dispatches engineers to conduct a field observation, and provides a root cause to address potential sources. The OCWR team implemented the NSP in 2018 to automate the good Neighbor response activity process and increase the efficiency of response.
As a result of OCWR investigation, they continue to implement best management practices to minimize the generation of odors received at the landfill. They continue to fine-tune operations to the extent possible while continuing to serve the waste management needs of the County and protecting the environment.
OCWR encourages residents to utilize the NSP to communicate and document their experience and allow OCWR to fully investigate and address any potential sources of odor. OCWR wants to mitigate the potential impacts of landfill operations while providing an essential public service to City of Irvine residents.
The Frank R. Bowerman Landfill was damaged during the Silverado Fire. Orange County Waste & Recycling provides recovery status updates via their website.
December 2020 Update:
On December 17, 2020, the SCAQMD Hearing Board held proceedings to consider the granting of a regular variance and adoption of a final compliance date for repair of the Frank R. Bowerman Landfill gas collection system, landfill condensate/leachate collection system and landfill flare system. The landfill has been operating under a temporary variance (the regular variance is essentially an extension) since the Silverado Fire. The variance protection allows the Bowerman Landfill to continue operations and perform repairs while temporarily waiving certain requirements for excess emissions due to equipment damage caused by the Silverado Fire. Excess emissions compliance is established on-site and does not apply to the subject odors being experienced within the surrounding neighborhoods. Also, this hearing was not to specifically address the general issue of neighborhood odor complaints before or after the Silverado Fire. The Board discussed and considered whether or not a ‘nuisance’ exists (i.e. from the landfill odors) as a result of the temporary variance that the landfill is currently operating under (and whether or not a ‘nuisance’ would continue if a regular variance was approved.
For a webcast of the meeting, visit http://www.aqmd.gov/home/news-events/webcast/live-webcast?ms=lHXjF0mvahc
December 15 Update:
The Hearing Board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District will be holding proceedings to consider the granting of a regular variance from South Coast AQMD Rules and Regulations and the adoption of a final compliance date for OC Waste & Recycling Bowerman Landfill. Bowerman Landfill anticipates excess emissions as a result of this variance. The extent of the emissions and other potential pollutants will be determined by the Hearing Board.
The hearing will be held via Zoom on Thursday, December 17 at 9 a.m. To virtually attend the hearing, click the button below for more information:
South Coast AQMD Hearing on Bowerman Landfill
The hearing will also be webcast and can be viewed here.
December 2 Update:
Letter from OCWR Director Tom Koutroulis regarding Frank R. Bowerman Landfill Silverado Fire Update to the Irvine City Council.