State warns that ongoing work at Brookhaven landfill may create 'odor event'

The state is warning of a potential "odor event" as the Town of Brookhaven works on upgrading cover systems at the Brookhaven landfill, urging residents to report any "significant odors, dust, or other concerns" immediately.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued the advisory this week as the town continues to address what is being described as "environmental quality" issues at the vast landfill, located between Horseblock Road and Sunrise Highway in Yaphank. The town recently started a new installation phase of its landfill cover system, coverings designed to "isolate the waste and act as a barrier to control rainwater infiltration and landfill gas migration," as well as control odor and dust, the DEC said.

However, the DEC said as synthetic liners known as "geomembranes" are replaced, areas of the landfill may remain uncovered and exposed for prolonged periods.

In a community update earlier this month, the DEC said about 143 acres of the landfill are covered and closed, but 13 additional acres have temporary covering. The rest of the site remains uncovered and active. As work continues, some sections will be temporarily uncovered.

To file a complaint about unwanted odor and dust, residents are asked to call 631-444-0380.

For more information regarding the ongoing upgrades at the landfill, visit the DEC's Brookhaven landfill site.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”