For more than three years, our community has experienced bad smells on the breeze in certain areas of town downwind of the plant. We’ve invested in upgrades since 2023 and have seen some improvements to air quality, but unfortunately, the mitigations haven't fully solved the issue. Council and staff live here too, and we want this fixed as much as you do.
Here’s the good news: this week, council directed administration to fast-track Phase 3 Odour Mitigation. This phase will focus on capping the digesters — large tanks where bacteria break down material— while we also investigating other potential odour sources in the system. Expect an update to come before council on Sept.16, 2025.
Unfortunately, these are complex infrastructure challenges that don’t have quick fixes. Each step needs to be carefully planned and coordinated to ensure it’s effective and sustainable. We’re taking a thoughtful, phased approach in collaboration with EPCOR to make sure we’re addressing the most impactful areas first and building toward long-term solutions.
Thank you to residents, especially those most impacted, for your patience and feedback. It’s a frustrating situation, and we’re committed to solving it, so we can all get back to enjoying Canmore’s fresh mountain air.
As part of our on-going assessment, we are compiling public observations to help us understand patterns and extent of odour issues. This information is far from our only source of data, but will help us track when and where the community is impacted.