Rumpke Seeks EPA Approval for More Odor Control at Landfill

Rumpke Consolidated Companies Inc. is asking the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for permission to increase odor neutralizer use at its landfill in Colerain Township, Ohio.

Rumpke is requesting an increase in odor neutralizer use in part to eliminate odors coming from a reaction occurring in a small area of the landfill, the Cincinnati-based company said in a news release. The reaction is happening 100 feet below the landfill’s surface. The reaction is not a fire and poses no health risks.

With the new permit Rumpke could use 2,741 gallons of odor neutralizer mixed with more than 2.7 million gallons of water monthly, the company said. The company distributes the odor neutralizer through more than 200 spray nozzles attached to more than 6,100 feet of hose, 20 industrial fans and mobile spray dispensers.

“Rumpke wants nothing more than to reduce the odor impact, and science and research indicates this is the best option at this time,” said Amanda Pratt, director of communications at Rumpke.

The company has taken some other steps to control the odors, such as installing trenches to capture the odors and adding odor control blankets.