Three Notices of Violation (NOVs) were issued to
Orange County Waste and Recycling’s Frank R.
Bowerman Landfill (Bowerman) in the city of Irvine,
for odors affecting surrounding communities.
Since January 1, 2026, South Coast AQMD has received
more than 130 public complaints of rotten, sour, and
garbage-type odors in the area. In response, inspectors
investigated the reports, confirmed the odors with
community members, and traced their source to Bowerman
operations. As a result, NOVs were issued on January 7, 25,
and 26 for violations of the public nuisance rules.
South Coast AQMD Rule 402 and California Health &
Safety Code Section 41700 prohibit emissions that cause
injury, nuisance, or annoyance to a significant number of
people or the public.
Bowerman is a Class III municipal solid waste facility
located at 11002 Bee Canyon Access Road and is one of the
largest landfills in California. The facility accepts waste
from approved commercial municipal haulers and does not
allow public disposal.
Bowerman is subject to routine inspections by state and
regional agencies, including CalRecycle, the California
Regional Water Quality Control Board, and South
Coast AQMD to ensure compliance with environmental
regulations.
NOVs may result in civil penalties. Facilities may also
take voluntary corrective actions to reduce emissions and
prevent future issues. If no settlement is reached, a civil
lawsuit may be filed in superior court.
Members of the public can report odors, dust, smoke, or
other air quality issues by:
• Calling 1-800-CUT-SMOG (288-7664)
• Filing a report via the online complaint portal at
www.aqmd.gov; or
• Using the South Coast AQMD mobile app.