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Residents report decade of odor, dust from composting site; city says it is coordinating with AQMD and code enforcement
Summary
Emails and public comments said a composting facility near Circle Park has generated longstanding odor and dust complaints; staff said they are logging complaints, coordinating with South Coast AQMD and the site operator about mitigation required under lease agreements.
Residents and an email submitted to the South Gate City Council reported persistent odors and dust from a composting facility operated in the city, and city staff said they are tracking complaints and working with state regulators and the operator to investigate.
The city clerk read emailed comments citing Brenda Rojas, Ph.D., and other residents who said the GWS/UWS composting site has "documented odor and dust complaints" dating back to at least 2015 and that recent complaints have not been routed to the local enforcement agency, as required under the California Health and Safety Code section 41705.
"On 08/07/2025, Dr. Rojas has confirmed with the AQMD supervisor that recent odor complaints have not been routed to the local enforcement agency as required under California Health and Safety Code 41705," the clerk read into the record. One resident requested the city enter the concerns into the public record and survey neighbors about the problem.
Deputy City Manager Gabriel Perez told the council staff is following up with Code Enforcement and South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD). "We do need to pinpoint that and ... we are in communication with South Coast AQMD," Perez said. He added staff has been in touch with the operators, and lease agreements require odor and dust mitigation.
Perez said staff will log complaints, verify their source and update the council when investigations conclude.
Ending: Residents asked the city to distribute a survey to nearby residents and businesses to document the scope of the problem; staff said it will log and investigate complaints with AQMD and the site operator and return with updates.
