News Summary
Residents along Water Oak Road in Virginia Beach are frustrated by a longstanding foul smell emanating from Thalia Creek. Despite initial tests indicating natural causes and no pollution concerns, community members remain skeptical and report health effects. Local officials, including state and city representatives, are working on solutions like installing aerators and seeking funding. An investigation by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is ongoing as residents demand action to restore environmental quality and community confidence.
Virginia Beach residents living on Water Oak Road are growing increasingly frustrated with a persistent foul odor coming from Thalia Creek. Complaints about the smell have intensified over the years, prompting state officials to engage with the community and seek solutions.
Recently, Virginia State Delegate Michael Feggans met with local residents to better understand the issue. Just a week prior, the City of Virginia Beach had informed homeowners about ongoing water testing related to the odor. In a separate meeting with city officials, Feggans reported that initial laboratory results indicated no serious concerns about the creek’s water quality. However, he underscored that further considerations are necessary beyond these preliminary findings.
The City of Virginia Beach attributed the foul smell to natural processes resulting from runoff, household materials, and sediment accumulation within Thalia Creek. Despite these assurances, local resident John Kirby challenged the city’s explanation, stating that the odor appears to uniquely affect their creek in comparison to others in the vicinity. He is particularly concerned about the city’s shift of responsibility for the situation onto homeowners, which may affect future dredging projects.
Pushing for action, Feggans revealed plans to collaborate with nonprofit organizations to explore solutions to the odor issue. He proposed the installation of aerators in Thalia Creek and aims to initiate this project within the next 120 days. Feggans is also working on legislation to secure funding for these initiatives while continuing to monitor the creek’s conditions.
Residents have reported that the odor has reached unbearable levels, causing some to vacate their homes due to headaches and concentration difficulties. Some local residents described the smell as reminiscent of gas, leading to speculation that it may be connected to disturbances caused by a dredging project in 2019, which stirred up sediment in the creek.
Concerns have been further amplified by visible anomalies in the water, including unusual bubbling during low tide. Following a recent city meeting, some residents expressed disappointment over a perceived lack of actionable solutions and accountability from city officials.
The city’s testing indicated elevated levels of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), believed to arise from natural biological processes rather than pollution. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) has initiated an investigation in response to community complaints about the odor and gas bubbles reported in Thalia Creek. Although preliminary tests from VDEQ showed no abnormal results, aligning with the city’s findings regarding natural causes, residents remain skeptical.
City officials assured the community that there are no indicators connecting the smell to illegal discharges or contamination. In the wake of ongoing concerns, local residents have voiced their frustrations, some even considering legal consultation if the situation does not improve. The City of Virginia Beach has indicated its intention to evaluate potential solutions in the coming weeks to address the community’s grievances.
As the investigation continues and discussions regarding future solutions unfold, Virginia Beach residents remain hopeful for a resolution that would restore their comfort and confidence in their environment.
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HERE Resources
Residents Demand Action Over Foul Odor in Windsor Woods
Additional Resources
- 13 News Now: Virginia Beach Delegate Proposes Aerators for Thalia Creek
- Wikipedia: Virginia Beach
- WTKR: Virginia Beach Residents Report Strange Smell
- Google Search: Thalia Creek Virginia Beach
- 13 News Now: Virginia Beach Leaders Meet Residents on Odor
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Odor
- Pilot Online: Stench Near Mount Trashmore
- Google News: Virginia Beach Thalia Creek Odor
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
