In response to continued odor complaints from nearby communities, the South Coast AQMD Hearing Board amended an Order for Abatement requiring Chiquita Canyon Landfill to implement stronger mitigation measures to control odors and protect public health.

The amended abatement order mandates several innovative and enhanced practices, including:

• Remote Gas System Monitoring: Expansion of the landfill’s remote monitoring system to detect landfill gas emissions, with real-time data sent to South Coast AQMD, as well as reporting on corrective actions taken.
• Drone-Based Methane Inspections: Use of drone technology equipped with methane sensors to inspect the Reaction Area weekly and the entire landfill monthly. This method improves detection in hard-to-access areas and allows for faster identification of emission hotspots. Daily Cover Inspections and Repair: Daily inspections of the Reaction Area to identify and repair tears or damage in the landfill cover. Repairs must use higher-quality cover material to reduce future tears and emissions.

Since January 2023, South Coast AQMD has received more than 30,000 odor complaints from nearby residents and has issued approximately 355 Notices of Violation to Chiquita Canyon Landfill for violations of Rule 402 and California Health & Safety Code.

Located in Castaic, Chiquita Canyon Landfill ceased accepting waste after the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board denied the landfill’s request to open a new cell for disposal. This denial was based, in part, on an ongoing underground chemical reaction, which continues to raise health concerns in nearby communities.

To read the full press release, visit South Coast AQMD’s news archive.