Local officials asked HP Hood executives to intervene
By Andrew Harris
When we last reported on the foul odor in the air on the north side of the City of Hornell and in the village of North Hornell, Mayor John Buckley described the situation as “extremely frustrating.”
He and City Wastewater Chief Rich Dunning had been working on clearing the air for sometime and without much progress. Residents living on the north side of the city and in the village of North Hornell were under serious stress from the ever-present smells. To say the smells are a quality of life issue is an understatement.
According to the City of Hornell, the source of the odor has largely been due to the outflow of wastewater from the Arkport dairy processing operation, HP Hood. In late 2024 and early 2025, the waste from the dairy plant going into the City of Hornell sewer system increased. That increase caused an imbalance in the composition of the wastewater flowing south from Arkport to the City of Hornell. That caused the release of odors that were reportedly “off the charts,” at several lift/pump stations and where the main sewer line connects with the City of Hornell system.
Last month we reported that Mayor Buckley, Wastewater Chief Rich Dunning, Hornellsville Supervisor Dan Broughton, and Village of North Hornell Mayor Joe Ingalls had jointly engaged HP Hood to find solutions.
Direct negotiations with HP Hood executives have resulted in real changes in the air.
While the dairy processor works to upgrade the facility to solve the problem long-term, a short term solution has been put into place. According to city officials, HP Hood agreed to reduce the output into the sewer system.
HP Hood Public Relations executive Lynne Bohan provided this statement:
“HP Hood continues to work cooperatively with the City in an effort to identify and reduce odors throughout the city’s sewer collection system and will soon implement a trial program at its facility. If the trial proves effective, it could be considered as part of a long-term solution.”
Rich Dunning who heads up the City of Hornell Wastewater management team reports that the reduced smell showed up in the data:
“Just in the last few days our readings of hydrogen sulfide have dropped back down to nearly normal levels. This means that the unpleasant odors that residents have been experiencing are greatly reduced.”
Dunning is and has been confident that the source of the stink can be linked back to the volume and composition of the outflow from HP Hood.
Mayor Buckley is happy with the progress on an issue that he is keen to see resolved sooner than later. He thanked HP Hood for the cooperation and the city team for all the extra work this problem requires:
“Rich and his team are doing a great job monitoring and reacting to this problem. HP Hood has agreed to operate in good faith to solve the problem and they have already taken steps to mitigate the impact on residents. Our hope is that the progress continues quickly toward a long term solution.”
