Most people shy away from bad smells, but some Wasteserv employees are actually tasked with sniffing them out at Magħtab.

Environment Minister Leo Brincat told Parliament last week that sniff test results showed that there were no abnormal smells coming from Magħtab following complaints from residents in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq and Għargħur.

A spokeswoman for the ministry said the sniff test literally involved a person going on the ground and sniffing out foul odours.

“Sniff testing has been conducted by Wasteserv since January 2013 to determine whether any odours pertaining to the landfills at the Magħtab Environmental Complex are being dispersed to surrounding areas and whether these odours are causing any nuisance to the residents.

Sniff testing has been conducted by Wasteserv since January 2013 to determine whether any odours are causing any nuisance to the residents

“This process is scheduled daily at two locations within the Magħtab Environment Complex, randomly once a week at the Coast Road, and once every fortnight offsite in the areas of Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, Coast Road area, Magħtab residential area, Naxxar, Mosta, Qawra and Burmarrad,” the spokeswoman said.

“Olfactory monitoring” is carried out on the strength and characteristics of any odours, the intensity of which is then graded in accordance to a table (see box).

“If the detected odour is not associated with the landfills, the source of this odour is determined by inspecting the area being monitored at that time. Wind direction is also determined through an onsite meteorological station,” the spokeswoman said.

Wasteserv will investigate further if any smells classified as abnormal are sniffed out.

“If the type of odours are those associated with landfilling operations, including putrid and pungent smells, and the odour intensity is significantly higher than the normal average, the smell would be classified as abnormal and further investigations would need to be carried out to try and identify the source of the odour.

“The source of odour might range from uncollected rotten waste in skips nearby, leachate leaks from the waste collection trucks and particular waste which generates strong smells,” the spokeswoman said.

The Magħtab landfill was closed in 2004. Despite this, residents in the area are still complaining of bad smells.

The government announced plans in 2007 to turn the landfill into a family park. Then Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had said the park was expected to cost €15 million of EU funds to complete in addition to €9 million already used to remove gas and for rehabilitation.

The government last month inaugurated a €50 million mech-anical and biological treatment plant at Magħtab.

Odour intensity

0 - No odour
1 - Very weak
2 - Weak
3 - Distinct
4 - Strong
5 - Very strong
6 - Intolerable