The source of the stench in Albion has been confirmed as partly rotted compost, and residents can be assured that after a noxious November, the issue has been resolved.
Complaints were going to city hall on and off between Nov. 4 and Nov. 15, and the Maple Ridge fire department went numerous times to the Albion area, with lights and sirens, to deal with complaints of a natural gas leak.
But there were no such leaks. The source of the rotten-egg smell was speculated to be everything from spawning salmon to a now-defunct dump on Kwantlen First Nation land.
City staff and Metro Vancouver air quality experts found the source in late November.
A company in the area was mixing composted municipal green waste with river sand to create topsoil. But the green material was not fully composted.
Municipal officials and the company came up with procedures to manage the material in a way that will not cause as much odor.
"Staff were on it right away," said Maple Ridge Mayor Nicole Read. "We were lucky, because sometimes you can't identify the source."
Scoff Leaf, a resident, encouraged his Albion neighbours via social media to make a stink about the issue with city hall, and believes hundreds of them complained.
"Obviously it worked. Residents of Albion rallied, and I'm proud of them."