The town wants robust monitoring of odours
The town has been receiving complaints about a foul odour originating from the company Colas Iceland. The Municipality of Hafnarfjörður is urging the Environmental and Energy Authority to take a firm grip on the matter.
Working on a solution for the smell from the bike station
The town has been receiving complaints about a foul odour originating from the company Colas Íslands and its tarmac at Óseyrarbraut in Hafnarfjörður. The Environmental and Energy Authority was conducting an inspection yesterday. A solution is being worked on.
According to the agency responsible for monitoring polluting activities, the company will be required to submit a timetable for the remedial action. The agency also requires notification of every step in the process.
Colas seeks the right solutions
Björk Úlfarsdóttir, a department manager at Colas, says the company is seeking solutions with a French firm, and that a representative from the firm is now with them. A solution is in sight and work is underway to adapt it to the company's operations. A timeline will be drawn up and presented. „We are working as quickly as we possibly can,“ she says.
Colas is a well-established company in Hafnarfjörður with over 100 employees and a history of more than 30 years. The bitumen plant is part of its operations and the foundation of its asphalt production, which is the company's main business. „Bitumen is the main raw material in asphalt.“
Björk says that it seems the westerly wind has picked up in Hafnarfjörður, so residents are now noticing the smell more than before. „But the shipments have varying odours. We are getting a shipment from another location in July and hope the nuisance will lessen when it arrives.“
The town urges robust monitoring
The Municipality of Hafnarfjörður has consistently forwarded residents' tips, received via the feedback portal, to the Environmental and Energy Authority. The municipality's Environment and Operations Committee points out in its minutes from 29th May that the matter concerns the town's air quality and affects residents' quality of life.
„According to the City of Hafnarfjörður's climate policy, emphasis is placed on reducing pollution and promoting a healthy environment, and it is therefore important that action is taken with targeted measures,“ it states, adding that stronger enforcement is important and urging the government to tighten the anti-pollution legislation.
Hafnarfjörður is following up on the matter and urges the Environmental and Energy Authority to pursue it vigorously.