Odor complaints from Countryside landfill in Grayslake dip

A hefty investment at the Countryside landfill in Grayslake apparently is paying off as the number of complaints regarding a rotten egg odor has dropped.

Health and environmental authorities will continue to monitor the air at the perimeter of the landfill on Route 83 near Route 137, but a series of improvements and upgrades seems to have tamed what had become a vexing problem.

“The odor complaints are down. We think part of it is related to the work that was done this fall and winter,” said Mike Kuhn, solid waste unit coordinator for the Lake County Health Department.

Odor complaints have persisted for more than two years and were intense enough at times to force residents in the nearby Prairie Crossing subdivision to leave their homes.

The source was determined to be drywall residue decomposing into hydrogen sulfide, a pungent gas that can be smelled at levels as low as 1 part per billion, though the recommended exposure limit is 10,000 parts per billion, officials said.

Last February, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cited landfill operator Waste Management for failing to control odor emissions. That remains an ongoing enforcement matter, according to the EPA.

Since then, a 12-year-old gas flare was replaced with new equipment that maintains a constant vacuum on all parts of the gas collection system, which helps control odors, according to Kuhn.

Thirteen gas collection wells where the drywall and other construction debris had been buried were replaced and connected to pipes below ground, as well as a new system of pipes above ground to capture the hydrogen sulfide.

“We've invested approximately $2 million,” said Bill Plunkett, spokesman for Waste Management. “Cooperation has been close and we've been responsive.”

Detected levels of hydrogen sulfide reached 90 parts per billion on five occasions in July and August, but the frequency, duration and levels of hydrogen sulfide have been trending downward.

Kuhn said there was a spike in complaints during construction, however.

“In January, so far we've had four days when we've had at least one complaint,” he said. “We had 20 days in November where we had at least one call. Part of it may be related to some of the work that was being done.”

Walter Willis, executive director of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, which has oversight of waste disposal and recycling, said the U.S. EPA will continue to monitor for hydrogen sulfide.

Data collected by monitors is being evaluated with other information, such as weather conditions, to assess possible links between the release of gas and conditions at the landfill, and to determine if more measures will be needed.

Willis said the reaction to the gypsum drywall is expected to continue for a few more years, although the actions taken to control odors appear to be working for the time being.

“They're very conscious of that now — they've learned not to take that material,” Willis said. “This has put a lot of pressure on them, without a doubt.”

All parties agree the situation has not been fully remedied.

“Most people say it's been better but it's not where people want it to be, which is no off-site odor,” Kuhn said.