North Albany residents press county over noxious odors from wastewater treatment North Plant

Residents living near the Albany County Wastewater Treatment Facility North Plant told the legislature they have suffered frequent, noxious odors for months and urged faster repairs and better communication from county staff and the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

"Residents of North Albany continue to suffer from noxious, disgusting odors that infiltrate our vehicles, businesses, and even our homes," said Sam Wells, a North Albany resident and member of a neighborhood group that has logged more than 80 odor incidents since March 2024. "We are asking for care, respect for the residents of Albany County who have been directly impacted. We'd like staff of the facility to communicate with us more frequently so that we can better understand what is happening there."

Sharon McIntosh, who said she lives in Arbor Hill and moved in to care for her elderly father, described the odor's effect on daily life: "Last summer was probably one of the most significant summers regarding the odor... my father's 87 years old. He put his life work into that home and he can't enjoy it."

Residents reported they have been told that Albany County and the DEC are working on a plan and that the DEC is arranging a facility tour for the neighborhood group. Legislators Willingham, Fine, and Lane were thanked for earlier communication with residents.

The speakers asked the legislature to press for a clear timeline of repairs, more frequent outreach from facility staff, and to expedite any maintenance that would reduce odors while longer-term upgrades proceed.

No formal action or motion on the floor resulted directly from the public comments; the statements were recorded during the public-comment portion of the meeting and entered the public record for committee follow-up and agency response.