‘It’s nauseating’: Residents in Kentville, New Minas raising stink about sewage plant odour

Spring has arrived in New Minas and Kentville, but along with the blooming flowers and warmer weather, a familiar stench is also in the air. Residents in these neighbouring Annapolis Valley communities are growing increasingly frustrated with the recurring pungent odours emanating from the regional sewage treatment plant in New Minas. They believe it’s high time for the Municipality of the County of Kings to address this issue once and for all.

Sue Smiley, an active cyclist who frequently passes by the plant, describes the odour as nauseating and overwhelming. She is concerned about the impact it may have on physical health and is adamant that this problem has persisted for far too long. The regional treatment plant in New Minas is the largest in the municipality, servicing several communities including Kentville, New Minas, Coldbrook, Greenwich, and various private industries.

The offensive smell comes and goes, but when it lingers, it makes outdoor activities unbearable, especially during hot and humid weather. Dawn Noakes, a New Minas resident and owner of a dog grooming business in Kentville, recalls first noticing the odour in 2018. She started a Facebook group where residents have been sharing their complaints about the situation. The group has garnered attention from individuals like Kristin Lohnes, a student at the Nova Scotia Community College in Kentville, who likened the odour to that of rotting food. Lohnes expressed concern about the adverse health effects, especially for those with respiratory conditions like asthma.

In response to the mounting pressure from residents, the Municipality of the County of Kings issued a statement acknowledging the issue and assuring the community that they are working with external experts to identify the cause of the odour and find a swift resolution. They suspect a lack of oxygen in one of the wastewater lagoons may be contributing to the problem.

However, some residents like Robyn Joys question the adequacy of the system to accommodate the influx of new housing developments in the area. Joys believes that the municipality should have prioritized upgrading the sewage system before approving additional housing units. The municipality’s website outlines $9 million in improvements made to the treatment plant since 2017, but for residents like Noakes, these efforts have not been sufficient to eliminate the odour problem.

The municipality recently provided an update after a council meeting, stating that they are collaborating with engineering firms specializing in wastewater treatment to address the odour issue. They have proposed short- and long-term solutions to control the smell at the plant. Despite these assurances, residents like Joys remain skeptical and are eager to see tangible results.

As the community waits for a resolution, the frustration continues to grow among residents who have endured years of unpleasant odours. They are hopeful that the municipality will finally take decisive action to eliminate the stench that has plagued their daily lives for far too long.