PEARLAND, TX -- The distinctive odor emanating from the Blue Ridge Landfill in neighboring Fort Bend County that has plagued residents of west Pearland for years, has resulted in an citation from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for failure to prevent a nuisance condition.

The TCEQ citation and a notice of enforcement came in the wake of more than 1,700 complaints submitted to the agency since 2006, and more than 78 investigations were conducted. Many of those complaints came from residents in or near the Shadow Creek Ranch, a 3,500 acre master-planned community in Pearland.



Blue Ridge Landfill, which is located in Fresno in Fort Bend County, is operated Phoenix-based Republic Services Inc. Blue Ridge Landfill officials issued a statement indicating the company was working closely with the state agency and are taking steps to abate the nuisance odor.

"As a good neighbor, we have made considerable infrastructure investments in the site that are yielding

positive results. We are continuing to invest in our systems and operate the landfill in an environmentally responsible manner and as a good neighbor to our community," Blue Ridge Landfill said in a statement. According to a TCEQ report, the landfill allegedly violated state statute by emitting air contaminants in concentrations above the TCEQ threshold.

The odor from the landfill is caused by emissions from hydrogen sulfide, which are regulated by the state agency.

Investigators monitored samplings from two sites and found those samplings were 23 to 34 percent greater than the permitted levels, according to official documents.

To come into regulatory compliance with TCEQ regulations, the Blue Ridge Landfill must provide an outline of its corrective actions, documentation that compliance has been achieved and provide establish preventative measures to avoid future nuisance odors.

A draft order is expected to be sent in mid-December to the landfill operator.