Full Breakdown
Calgary’s “Garbage Juice” Odour Traced to Shepard Landfill Leachate System
6/8/2026, 12:06:51 AM
Identifying the Source of Southeast Calgary’s Persistent Odour
Residents of southeast Calgary neighbourhoods—including New Brighton, McKenzie Towne, Copperfield, Douglasdale and Douglas Glen—have reported a “rotten grass” smell. After a year of monitoring, city officials determined that gases escaping from the leachate-collection system at the Shepard Landfill are a source. The leachate system, which channels liquid percolating through the waste for treatment, has access points that can vent gases when not sealed.
Background & Context
The Shepard Complex comprises a landfill, a composting facility and biosolids lagoons. City staff have long recognized that odours can arise from these operations, as well as from nearby farms and wetlands. A spike in complaints in 2022 prompted the city to deploy more than 100 air-sampling stations and integrate 311 reports with weather data to locate the source.
Timeline
- Years prior to 2022: ongoing odour complaints.
- 2022: complaints peaked, prompting new monitoring.
- 2023-2024: >100 sampling stations operated; data combined with wind and 311 inputs.
- May 2024: city sealed identified leachate-system access points.
- August-September 2024: peak complaint period; city will assess effectiveness after summer.
Data & Statistics
More than 100 air-sampling stations have been installed. Five neighbourhoods report the strongest odour levels. August and September account for the majority of complaints, coinciding with warm, stagnant conditions.
Official Statements & Responses
City officials stress that the leachate system is intended to protect groundwater by diverting “garbage juice” away from aquifers. After locating gas-escape points, the city sealed them in May and is expanding the monitoring network to capture additional odour events. Officials acknowledge that odour perception varies among residents, making quantitative tracking essential. The city will evaluate the success of these measures by monitoring complaint volumes through the summer.
Criticism & Opposition
Residents say the smell has worsened despite long-standing awareness of odour issues. John Lee of the New Brighton Community Association describes the odour as alternating between “dead, wet grass,” “city dump,” and indistinct compost, noting its persistence and variability.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our leachate system is all about protecting the groundwater from this garbage juice making its way into aquifers,” — Sharon Howland, Leader of Program Management, City of Calgary
- “Some days it'll smell like dead, wet grass. Some days it smells like a city dump. Some days it could be compost. And there’s other times where we just can't distinguish what the smell is,” — John Lee, President, New Brighton Community Association
- “Odour is very complex,” — Sharon Howland
- “What you might experience when you’re out on your back patio, you might consider a real nuisance and it chases you inside, versus your neighbour isn’t bothered at all by it.” — Sharon Howland
What’s Next
The city will expand its air-monitoring network to detect additional odour sources and will review complaint trends after the August-September peak. Results will guide any further remediation at the Shepard Landfill leachate system.
