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- July 2021.
For more information, check out the Community Odor Pilot Study Fact Sheet
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 can be found here.
The presentation by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District on the outcomes of their South Bay Odor Attribution Study, to the Milpitas City Council, can be found here under Item 21.
How Can You Get Involved?
- 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 BAAQMD’s toll free hotline 1-800-334-ODOR (6367) 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 this 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.
