[USCC] Ponds are stinking up the town ...

[Dean Arrington]

Dear ladies and composting gents,

I have a real life situation at our yard waste composting facility
located in Virginia Beach, VA.

We have two large retention ponds (zero discharge) that are causing
serious odor issues. Pond #1 consist of 8 million gallons and Pond #2
consist of 18 million gallons.

A little back ground:

Back in early September, we had Tropical Storm Ernesto visit us and
deliver 10+ inches of rain on our site. In the previous week we had
already received another 3-5 inches of rain. Bottom line is that we
received a 100 year rain event on the site that caused our ponds to over
flow - and even worse, cause them to go anaerobic. The odor is better
today, but still persist especially in the smaller pond. We are getting
pounded by the local neighbors, press and politicians.

We are in contact with a micro-biologist and working with them on a
short and long term solution.

I am looking for others that have gone through similar odor issues
associated with retention ponds at a compost facility. If you have gone
through this nightmare - could you share your solutions with me and the
rest of the compost world.

I have talked with dozens of people ... But can't seem to get a common
answer. So I am asking the expertise of the composting discussion list
for their thoughts.

You can email the discussion group or email me directly.

Dean "Stinky" Arrington
SPSA Composting Facility
darrington at spsa.com