Eastvale community plagued by foul stench from sewage plant

EASTVALE, Calif. (KABC) -- A foul stench from a neighboring sewage treatment plant clouds the air of one of the newer communities in Eastvale, causing headaches for residents both literally and figuratively.

"It's a great neighborhood," resident Paul Blount said of Meritage Homes at River Road. "We came out of Orange County, because we could get more house for the money."

Blount wasn't expecting the odorous breeze coming from across the street that comes on strongest between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Workers at the plant have put up trees and misters to try to block the smell, but residents say it doesn't really help.

"It's a very strong sewage smell. You'll also get a chemical smell from what they've tried to mask it with, by trying to hide it with some kind of Febreze smell," resident Jeremy Lee said.

The Air Quality Management District has cited the sewage treatment plant seven times in the past month.

"It does cause really bad headaches sometimes when it's really bad, especially when you're outside trying to play with your kids," Lee said.

The plant opened in 1998, back when there were no homes, and only dairies, so the odor wasn't a concern.

"We were here first, but, at the end of the day, we have to be good neighbors," said Jeff Sims, manager of Western Municipal Water District.

Sim added that construction was underway on improvements to stop the odors. The plant will put covers on the smelliest parts of the plant and treat the air before releasing it into the atmosphere, Sims said.

That construction, however, could take another two years. Meanwhile, residents say they don't have many options.

"We may post and sell while we can, because the property values are just going to drop," Blount said.