For the past ten years, Paula Jongerden and her neighbors in Norfolk County have been enduring an ongoing nightmare. A foul, rotten egg-like odor fills the air on windy days, emanating from inactive, unfiltered wells that have been releasing high levels of hydrogen sulfide and methane into the environment since 2015. Jongerden describes the smell as nauseating, causing symptoms like burning eyes and a sore throat. Additionally, the peace of their days is frequently disrupted by alarms from a monitoring station detecting toxic gas concentrations, a situation known locally as the Big Stink.
The issue traces back to 1968 when Big Creek, a waterway in Norfolk County, faced challenges with natural gas. Following the plugging of a well in 1910, pressure built up, leading to the eruption of five new wells until a relief well was drilled to alleviate the pressure. Subsequent events in 2015 saw the plugging of the relief well, resulting in the emergence of additional wells. By 2017, heightened pressure and water levels caused gas to breach a clay layer, leading to the formation of gas springs in the area’s waterways.
A recent study commissioned by the county in 2024 from environmental consulting firm Montrose Environmental revealed alarming findings. According to Montrose geochemist Stewart Hamilton, the hydrogen sulfide leak from the county-owned wells near Forestry Farm Road is tens of thousands of times higher than legal limits. Jongerden, a resident directly impacted by the situation, has observed corrosion on metal objects on her property, raising concerns about the potential health effects on residents.
John Spanjers, another affected resident, has witnessed the detrimental impact of the gas springs near his home, noting black film on the water and dead trees in the surrounding marsh. Spanjers has experienced health issues, including frequent headaches, attributing them to the chemical exposure. Despite the residents’ pleas for urgent action, political response has been slow. Local politicians recently urged the provincial government to address the issue and cover the costs of proposed solutions, including installing a relief well and air and water filtration systems.
Independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady has vowed to prioritize the well issue upon the return of provincial politicians, criticizing the slow progress and political maneuvering by local officials. Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin defended the county’s efforts, highlighting the need for provincial assistance and criticizing the lack of tangible solutions from the Independent MPP. The ongoing situation has left residents deeply concerned about their health and environment, prompting calls for immediate action and accountability from authorities.