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Community Odor Monitoring
The City and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) have undertaken special studies to better characterize the odor issues the community is experiencing. The City worked with Jacobs Engineering Group to conduct odor sampling across the City from November 2019 to July 2021.
For more information, check out the Community Odor Pilot Study Fact Sheet (PDF).
Check out the Community Odor Pilot results through the City's Odor Study Map. A recording of the Community Odor Monitoring Pilot Program Report Presentation is available on YouTube.
The presentation by the BAAQMD on the outcomes of their South Bay Odor Attribution Study to the Milpitas City Council can be found on YouTube under Item 21.
- How can you get involved?
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If you detect a compost odor call the Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) hotline at 408-793-6938 or fill out LEA's complaint form
For all other odors call Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)'s toll free hotline 800-334-6367 (ODOR) or fill out BAAQMD's complaint form (these reports are shared with City Staff)
Help Describe the Smell
Because there are multiple possible sources of odor, it is helpful if you can describe the odor you are smelling. Use our Odor Wheel to help accurately describe what you are smelling when you submit an odor complaint.
Does it smell like soap? Sulfur? Skunk? How does it feel on your nose? Sharp or pungent? Metallic or irritating? Each type of odor has a different cause. The more information you can give, the easier it will be for inspectors to track down the source.
- How does this study differ from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's South Bay Odor Attribution Study?
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The City's study focuses on assessing and quantifying odors potentially impacting the community with monitoring locations at different locations in Milpitas. This study will collaborate with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)'s South Bay Odor Attribution Study, which is occurring at generally the same time. The BAAQMD study will focus on odors from targeted facilities and processes in and around Milpitas.
To learn more about the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, please visit the BAAQMD website.