Revelstoke’s long-awaited wastewater treatment plant upgrades are still on schedule, but a reduction in treatment ponds has increased the “Southside Stink,” a notable stench wafting from the lagoons for years.
As warming temperatures increase the chance of inversion, potentially trapping the lagoon gases in a growing pocket spanning from the plant as far as Second Street, some Southside residents are struggling with the smell, citing physical and mental health impacts.
Oscar Street resident Elizabeth Jordan Walker said she’s tracked cases of nausea, bowel issues, migraines and respiratory issues since moving to the Southside neighbourhood with her son three years ago.
“It impacts my whole life, then I run out of sick time. My son is the same, he says he feels nauseous and can’t go to school, he’s missed a lot of school this year for this reason.”
Her neighbours who have lived in Southside for decades report similar health issues to her, Jordan Walker added.
According to David Karn, a representative from the Ministry of Environment and Parks, wastewater lagoon odors are not uncommon, but don’t pose a significant health risk.
“There is currently no indication of adverse health effects associated with lagoon gases,” Karn wrote via email.
Despite this, Cynthia Routhier, registered clinical counsellor at Keystone Health and Oscar Street resident shared more about how prolonged exposure to the smell can impact mental health, and how to mitigate the effects.
“It’s invading, it feels like an aggression,” she said. “You can’t run away, you just escape into the house and feel trapped.”
Couple that with a season where many are trying to get outside and enjoy their backyards before bugs, heat and potential wildfire smoke, and frustration within the community is natural, Routhier said.
“There’s uncertainty all over the place, which is not easy to bear for many people to not know exactly when or if and to what extent the smell is coming in that day.”
Revelstoke Mountaineer asked the Ministry of Environment and Parks for follow-up comments regarding local mental health concerns, however, no response was provided before publication. This article will be updated if more information is received.
Jordan Walker, who said she feels ignored by city and provincial representatives, explained that resident concerns over the smell don’t seem to be taken seriously, only exacerbating the mental health impacts.
“They’re basically just saying, ‘suck it up and deal with it,’ and it’s really hard,” she said.
While upgrading the treatment plant is anticipated to clear up a majority of the gasses and work is on schedule, Routhier thinks communications from municipal and provincial representatives acknowledging the frustration could help rebuild trust.
“[Is the city] doing anything directly for the people that are directly affected by it every day,” she asked, adding that more communication directly with Southside residents and local supports could be a step in the right direction.
When asked to comment on residents’ frustration with the increased “Southside Stink,” Mayor Gary Sulz acknowledged that the smell has worsened while construction takes place.
“Unfortunately there isn’t a quick fix, but we have the ending in sight,” Sulz wrote via email, explaining that smells are expected to reduce when lagoon pond one returns to service late summer with “further substantial reduction” when the new treatment plant comes online early 2027.
While residents are allowed to bring concerns forward, respect for staff dealing with the wastewater treatment plant updates, some of whom live in the Southside as well, needs to be part of every interaction, he added.
As for her own strategies to support her mental health while dealing with the smell, Routhier has found time outside the city limits and the reach of the smell helps remind her the issue is temporary.
While air quality complaints can be made through the Report All Poachers and Polluters program, Karn recommends residents and guests impacted by wastewater treatment plant lagoon gases contact the City of Revelstoke’s public works department at [email protected] or by calling 250-837-2001.
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