https://www.facebook.com/SouthBayEcoCitizens/
www.mercurynews.com/2026/10/17/san-joses-new-177-million-dewatering-facility-passes-the-smell-test/
“For decades, a lot of what is technically called digested sludge — feel free to insert your own term — ended up on 500 acres of drying beds and open-air lagoons in North San Jose. There, nature would take its course and dry out the biosolids in a process that could take up to four years.
And you cannot even imagine the smell.
On Thursday, though, San Jose made that job stink a lot less, cutting the ribbon on a $177 million dewatering facility at the San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility off Zanker Road.
It uses centrifuges and an odor control system to remove the liquid from the sludge, which is piped over from the main facility, and makes the resulting biosolids ready for use as compost or fertilizer in a day instead of years. An odor-control system captures and treats the foul air in pipes with carbon and ammonia scrubbers instead of letting it waft over to Alviso and Milpitas.”
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.www.mercurynews.com/2026/08/26/san-jose-landfill-ordered-to-reduce-air-pollution-and-odors-like-r...
San Jose landfill ordered to reduce air pollution and odors ‘like rotten eggs and spoiled food’
www.mercurynews.com
Bay Area Air District mandate follows years of complaints from residents in Milpitas
The Air District Hearing Board is holding a public meeting on 7/21/26 to address the recurring violations and odor nuisance at Newby Island.
Agenda details:
www.baaqmd.gov/en/about-the-air-district/hearing-board/agendas-reports-orders
(search by date for the 7/21 meeting)
Submit public comments to Marcy Hiratzka, Clerk of the Boards at [email protected] by this Friday if you cannot attend the meeting.
Hearing Board Agendas, Reports, and Orders
www.baaqmd.gov
Learn about the Hearing Board's final orders and view agendas and quarterly reports.
Newby Island Community Tour was a good opportunity to discuss our community’s concerns and areas for improvement!
Odor Complaint Response:
- Joint Effort: Request BAAQMD to notify the facility instantly when complaints are filed.
- Republic Services: Install sensors at the facility’s perimeter to monitor odor.
- City of Milpitas: Explore the cost of installing sensors in neighborhoods.
- Community: Provide detailed odor descriptions to help identify sources faster.
Known Odor Sources:
- Compost: Noticeable earthy odor during our visit.
- Landfill: Odor issues from leaks in covered cells (pungent smell from anaerobic decomposition).
- Recyclery: Organic materials in the recycle stream are exposed, attracting flies and birds.
Let's work together for a cleaner, healthier community!
Hello. I work with the ngo wastefree23. We are an international ngo of volunteer scientists. We would like to support the elimination of the odor. The odor can be eliminated quickly by use of biochar and diverting some of the waste and use of algea. Can we assist in your efforts? Please contact us at [email protected] Dan Fritschen
‼️ BAAQMD presentation at Milpitas City Council on 5/21 (Tuesday)
Agenda: milpitasca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/25/files/agenda/3485
Item #18: Presentation from Bay Area Air Quality Management District Staff on the Results of the South Bay Odor Attribution Study
Details of BAAQMD findings and next steps:
www.baaqmd.gov/about-air-quality/air-quality-measurement/special-air-monitoring-projects/south-ba...
Over email, the directors of the Odor Monitoring Study asked Milpitas residents to “Please continue to report odor issues to the BAAQMD and be as specific as possible when reporting the type of odor and what you are smelling.”
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.Your voice matters. Don’t forget to vote by 8pm today! 🗳
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted."Protecting air quality and the health of Bay Area residents is our top priority," said Sharon Landers, interim executive officer of the air district. "This financial settlement is just one tool we use to ensure that Newby Island Landfill takes responsibility to comply with air quality regulations and does not negatively impact surrounding communities through its operations."
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.210,000? Big wow