Odours and air quality

There are many sources of odour in the Waikato region. These include:

• intensive indoor farming such as piggery and poultry farms
• pulp and paper manufacturers
• meatworks and rendering plants
• skin and hide processing plants, such as tanneries, fellmongeries and wool-scourers
• stockpiles of organic waste on farmland
• commercial composting operations and landfills
• wastewater treatment plants and spray irrigation of effluent
• commercial food processing and preparation
• agrichemical spray operations
• domestic sources, such as composting and house painting.

The best way of assessing odour is via the human nose. But everyone reacts to odours differently. One person may object strongly to an odour while another is not bothered by it. Some odours are pleasant, for example the smell of freshly mown grass, while others are considered highly offensive.

How much an individual reacts to odours can depend on the:

• frequency of the odour – how often it occurs
• duration of the odour and time of exposure – for example, some odours may only occur during standard work hours, while others are more constant
• character and intensity of the odour
• location of the odour – for example, rural, industrial, public area.

Sensitivity to odour can also vary according to a person’s:

• age
• perception/view of the emitter
• mental state
• other compounding issues (such as stress at work or home)
• general state of health and wellbeing.

Cultural issues may mean that certain types of odour are not acceptable, for example, from a crematorium or sewage treatment plant.

Previous exposure to a certain odour means that some people may have become de-sensitised to it over time and no longer find it offensive. For example, people who have grown up in a town where a particular industry is the main employer, may generally accept odour emissions as part of life.

Odour is complicated to manage!

• Some people are more affected by odours than others.
• It’s very difficult to identify and measure odours, especially at low concentrations.

Odour emitters getting up your nose?

Waikato Regional Council encourages people concerned about odour to meet with those creating the odours to talk about their complaint. Most situations can be resolved this way. You’ll find that most people are reasonable, and willing to discuss the problem.

Remember that those causing the odour:

• may not be aware that it’s a problem (desensitisation to the odour)
• may not be aware of the exact cause of the odour.