Harvest Power, a composting facility in east Richmond, has to abide by stricter regulations from Jan. 1, regarding smells it produces.
The regulations state Harvest Power will be shut down if the odour is detected four kilometres away from the facility for more than three days in a two-week period.
Previous regulations limited the odour’s presence to five days in a two-week period within a five-kilometre radius.
In 2019, the odour will be further restricted to three kilometres and a two-day limit.
“If we receive a complaint, we will send an officer out, the officer will station themselves four kilometres from the facility and determine whether they can pick up an odour,” said Ray Robb, Metro Vancouver’s district director.
“If they can detect an odour for 10 minutes in an hour, then they start walking their way towards Harvest, ensuring that there isn’t another source.”
Robb explained that officers act on complaints from the public and meteorological observations, such as fog. Breaching the regulations may result in Metro Vancouver prohibiting Harvest Power from discharging air contaminants.
“They may continue to operate, but it’s like driving a car; if you are told the car can’t discharge any emissions, it’s pretty hard to drive it,” said Robb.
He said the new regulations are a result of compromise.
“It wasn’t everything we wanted, and wasn’t everything the community wanted. There’s no doubt it’s getting better, but it’s not good enough yet. Our intention is to impose requirements that are sufficiently protective,” said Robb.
However, the new regulations are opposed by both the facility and residents, who have lodged appeals against the new rules.
“Many residents think we are not tough enough but Harvest Power thinks we are too tough,” said Robb.
A four-week appeal hearing has been set for September, when each side will argue its case before the Environmental Appeal Board.
Meanwhile, Metro Vancouver has ordered Harvest Power to replace one of its two on-site aerated static piles by Feb. 1, 2018. No new material will be allowed to be placed in the existing pile after that date.“Replacing a pile takes months but Harvest Power hasn’t submitted any replacement plans to us. I’ll say there is no way they can replace it in time,” said Robb.
Last year, many complaints about the odour around Harvest Power were filed by the public, enveloping the facility in controversy. To date Metro Vancouver has received 1,400 complaints where Harvest Power is the suspect.
