Residents press Yuma County for more transparency on biosolids sites after reports of smoke, odor

Several residents used the Call to the Public on June 23 to raise concerns about biosolids handling near residential areas and asked for greater transparency from the County.

Jack Vander Loop described his observations after a media tour and an unrestricted site visit, saying he saw two portable pump sites where biosolids were "quickly spread and tilled into the soil, with minimal odor and flies dissipating within about 50 feet." He contrasted that with conditions at an adjacent landfill, which he said presented a "more significant fly and odor source." Separately, Tyler Woodman reported "large piles are smoldering and emitting smoke and odor into nearby residential areas for days," thanked the Board for prior work on biosolids, and said recent public-relations messaging that "everything is fine" appeared to conflict with the concerns cited in the Board's December letter. Chairman Martin Porchas asked County Administrator Ian McGaughey to look into the reported site conditions and follow up with staff findings.

The commenters asked the Board to release information and findings that supported a prior December letter that had flagged serious concerns. Board members directed staff to investigate the specific sites mentioned and to report back; no formal enforcement action was recorded in the meeting minutes.