Channel 8 does story on the stench in Kennedale

Last week, at the invitation of the City of Kennedale, WFAA Channel 8 covered the ongoing problem with the air quality (smell) in the area. {{more}}

 

Begining last year, residents in the Kennedale area began smelling and calling the City to complain about the smell because for some it was a broken sewage line.

 

The following is the report as reported by Marie Saavedra, WFAA

 

KENNNEDALE, Texas ? There?s something in Kennedale your eyes cannot see. You can?t touch it, taste it or hear it, but when you?re outside your nose can?t escape it.

“Some people say it smells like fish, old rotted fish,” said resident Rebecca Clark. “It?s kind of a putrid smell.”

 

Clark has lived in Kennedale for more than 20 years and says she’s never smelled air as foul as she has in the last few months.

 

She?s not alone. Residents in neighboring parts of Arlington have reported the same stench. It’s forced Kennedale to take some action.

 

“People who have children with asthma…they?re having trouble breathing,” said Kennedale City Secretary Leslie Galloway. “It?s affecting people?s lives at this point.”

 

[Play the on air report here]

 

News 8 met Galloway Thursday at what the city calls the source.

“We personally think it?s coming from this Fort Worth South East Landfill,” she said.

 

And that?s the problem. The South East Landfill that is so close to Kennedale homes belongs to the City of Fort Worth. That means Kennedale can?t do much, but it?s trying to do something.

 

It?s asking residents on social media to call the TCEQ to report when and where they smell the strong odors.

Southeast landfill (Photo: WFAA)

Residents say they plan to make those calls, not only for themselves but for the good of their city.

“If you?re trying to move in here we?re a great community, great families, great schools, and yeah, that would definitely turn me off if I was driving down the highway and started to smell that,” said Clark.

 

News 8 reached out to the City of Fort Worth this afternoon to ask if there’d been any problems or complaints with the landfill, but we have yet to hear back.

If you’re in the area and want to report the smell, you can reach the TCEQ on its website or at 817-588-5800.