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🇧🇪 Belgium /Environment & Climate

Boutersem residents complain again about strong odors from biogas plant

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Residents in Boutersem are again complaining about strong odors, likely from a biogas plant processing pig manure.
  • The municipality states it lacks authority over the Class 1 environmental company, directing complaints to the Flemish government.
  • A new biofilter is expected to be installed at the plant this summer, though its effectiveness in reducing odors is uncertain.

Residents of Boutersem are experiencing a renewed surge in odor complaints, with many pointing to the local biogas plant that converts pig manure into green energy. The pungent smell, described as a mix of rotten manure and human vomit, has been a recurring issue for years.

It is true that the number of complaints is increasing again. This is possibly due to the warm weather of the past few weeks, with little wind, allowing the odor to linger longer. The smell is also noticeable now because people are spending more time outside and opening windows for ventilation.

— Tobe SchoenmakersEnvironmental alderman Tobe Schoenmakers explaining the increase in odor complaints and potential contributing factors.

Environmental alderman Tobe Schoenmakers acknowledged the increase in complaints, suggesting that recent warm weather and low wind may be trapping the smell. He noted that people are spending more time outdoors and opening windows, making the odor more noticeable. However, the municipality has limited power to intervene because the biogas plant is classified as a Class 1 environmental company.

"The authority for the permit, as well as enforcement and control of the company, lies not with the municipality but with the Flemish government," Schoenmakers explained. He urged residents to direct their complaints via email to the Flemish Environment Inspectorate, which conducts regular checks, and to include him and the mayor in the correspondence.

The company is a Class 1 company in terms of the environment. Both for the permit and for enforcement and control of the company, the municipality is not competent, but the Flemish government is. We therefore ask our residents to send an email with complaints to the Flemish Environment Inspectorate, which carries out regular checks. It is best to put me and the mayor in CC, so we stay informed about what is happening.

— Tobe SchoenmakersEnvironmental alderman Tobe Schoenmakers explaining the municipality's lack of authority and directing residents to the Flemish government.

The biogas plant, Guilliams Green Power, has implemented several measures to mitigate the nuisance. A new biofilter, designed to filter fine dust and odors from the air, is scheduled for installation this summer. While Schoenmakers expressed hope that the biofilter might offer some relief, he cautioned that no definitive promise could be made regarding its effectiveness. The company's management was unavailable for comment.

Hopefully, that biofilter can reduce the odor nuisance somewhat, but we cannot make a promise about that.

— Tobe SchoenmakersEnvironmental alderman Tobe Schoenmakers expressing cautious optimism about a new biofilter at the biogas plant.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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