Residents in the Derry area are complaining about a pungent odor in the air.Click to watch News 9's coverage.It's been described as smelling like garbage or rotting eggs. People driving on Interstate 93 near exit 4 can also smell it.The Department of Public Works said that lagoons by the water treatment plant are the source of the odor."When the temperatures rise, you have sludge at the bottom that starts to rise to the top," said DPW Director Mike Fowler. "It's essentially temperature inversion."Officials said the odor's pungent, but it's not harmful."Certainly it's something that is just seasonal," Fowler said. "And there is no impact to their health or safety relative to that."Several people in town said the odor has gone beyond being just a nuisance and wonder if it might start affecting their property values.The DPW said the problem is temporary, and it's working to resolve the problem soon.

Residents in the Derry area are complaining about a pungent odor in the air.

Click to watch News 9's coverage.


It's been described as smelling like garbage or rotting eggs. People driving on Interstate 93 near exit 4 can also smell it.

The Department of Public Works said that lagoons by the water treatment plant are the source of the odor.

"When the temperatures rise, you have sludge at the bottom that starts to rise to the top," said DPW Director Mike Fowler. "It's essentially temperature inversion."

Officials said the odor's pungent, but it's not harmful.

"Certainly it's something that is just seasonal," Fowler said. "And there is no impact to their health or safety relative to that."

Several people in town said the odor has gone beyond being just a nuisance and wonder if it might start affecting their property values.

The DPW said the problem is temporary, and it's working to resolve the problem soon.