Los Angeles, CA– Los Angeles County is taking legal action against the owners of Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Castaic, alleging they have not managed to control a foul odor that has been bothering residents for almost two years.
Officials at both local and federal levels report that the foul odor is coming from an underground fire burning within the landfill’s waste, leading to a “reaction event” involving gases and liquids.
Local residents are reporting various health concerns, such as headaches, nausea, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as vomiting.
The lawsuit claims that these smells persist for hours, sometimes exceeding twelve, disrupting the peaceful enjoyment of residential areas and making many outdoor activities intolerable.
Authorities are looking into whether the emissions have caused a rise in cancer cases.
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The county is filing a lawsuit to stop the unpleasant emissions and require Waste Connections, the landfill’s owners, to cover the costs of relocating residents until the odor issue is resolved temporarily.
“This lawsuit is a necessary step to ensure accountability and compliance with the rules that protect our residents and the environment,” said County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “We must hold the responsible party accountable and continue doing everything possible to restore safe and healthy living conditions for our communities.”
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KTLA has contacted Waste Connection regarding the lawsuit for their comments. Managers have emphasized their commitment to collaborating with regulatory agencies to tackle the issues at hand.
“Chiquita takes very seriously its role in the safe operation of the landfill,” a statement in December 2023 read.
