City of Joplin provides update on odor complaints, issues

(From the City of Joplin)

In response to recent concerns and complaints regarding foul odors in various parts of Joplin, City officials have been meeting with industries that have been noted as possible contributors to some of these odors.

“These meetings provide simple introductions and a dialogue to understand the matter from both parties,” said Dan Pekarek, Director of the Health Department. “We are learning more about their processes; the equipment and steps they follow to eliminate or avoid potential odors. They are welcoming these discussions as they are introduced to our health inspectors, our monitoring systems, and how the public is reporting their complaints about foul odors.”

During the discussions, company officials have discussed the work that they have already done and plan to do in the future to help reduce the odor issues in the community. To help educate the public about these efforts, city staff have offered to share any information industries feel they would like to share about their work. The City will be sharing this information with the public and distributing this to the news media.

Heartland Pet Food Manufacturing was the first to submit their information and it is included with this release. It is also posted on the City’s website at http://www.joplinmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/7499/Heartland-Pet-Food-Mfg-Update-4-27-18 .

“We look forward to receiving information from any other industries that desire to share their work in this format,” said Pekarek.

He noted that odor is a complicated issue, and can be somewhat challenging to isolate the source and measure the intensity. City staff conduct random surveillance and respond to complaints about odor, however the magnitude of the odor may not always hit the threshold that classifies it as a problematic odor.

“City officials continue to have conversations and forward complaint information to DNR” (Missouri Department of Natural Resources), he said. “As the regulatory agency for the state, we strongly encourage residents to utilize their system in filing complaints so there is appropriate documentation.”

To file an odor complaint, contact DNR at 417-891-4300.