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Years of odor complaints surrounding the Natural Soil Products biosolids processing facility in western Schuylkill County continue to raise concerns among residents, with renewed discussion over whether independent air-quality monitoring could provide more definitive answers about conditions in affected communities.
Natural Soil Products operates a biosolids processing facility in Frailey Township near Tremont. The facility is owned by Tully Environmental Services and operates under a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection waste management permit.
Residents in several surrounding communities have reported odors over the years, prompting investigations, enforcement action and additional odor-control measures at the facility.
One possible approach being raised is for Schuylkill County to commission an independent environmental firm to conduct long-term air-quality monitoring in areas historically affected by the odors.
Such testing could potentially monitor compounds associated with biosolids processing and decomposition, including hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and volatile organic compounds. Testing could also be combined with meteorological monitoring to record wind speed and direction when odors or elevated concentrations are detected.
Unlike individual odor observations, extended monitoring could provide data over days or weeks and potentially help determine whether contaminants are present and whether they can be associated with a particular source.
DEP Took Enforcement Action in 2023
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has previously taken enforcement action involving Natural Soil Products.
In May 2023, DEP entered into a Consent Order and Agreement with Tully Environmental following numerous odor investigations.
According to DEP records, the department's Emergency Response Team conducted investigations between September 2022 and May 2023 and detected odors attributable to the facility on multiple occasions.
DEP investigations documented odors in communities including Joliett, Good Spring, Donaldson, Newtown and Tremont.
Under the agreement, Tully Environmental agreed to pay a $50,000 civil penalty and implement corrective measures intended to address the odor problem.
Those measures included restrictions on sewage sludge received at the facility, additional odor-control procedures, reporting requirements and odor patrols.
The company also moved forward with a Gore Composting System as part of efforts to address odors from the operation.
Schuylkill County Commissioners became involved in the issue in November 2023, approving a motion strongly objecting to continued operations until the Gore system was operational and demonstrated to be effective in addressing the odor problem. Commissioners also called on DEP to strictly enforce applicable laws and regulations.
Despite the measures, odor concerns have continued to surface.
Additional DEP Violation Issued in 2025
DEP records show that regulatory issues involving the facility continued into late 2025.
On December 2, 2025, DEP issued Tully Environmental a Notice of Violation alleging multiple violations involving the facility's operations.
Among the issues identified were quantities of biosolids stored or processed in portions of the facility that exceeded amounts identified in approved plans and bonding calculations.
DEP reported that records from October 27, 2025, showed approximately 4,807 cubic yards of unscreened biosolids stored in Building 2, compared with 2,000 cubic yards identified in bonding calculations.
The department also reported approximately 33,600 cubic yards of biosolids being processed in Gore bunkers, compared with 18,000 cubic yards identified in the calculations.
DEP additionally raised concerns involving groundwater sampling procedures and testing methods.
Natural Soil Products responded to the Notice of Violation later that month.
DEP Raises Odor-Control Questions in 2026
Regulatory activity involving the facility has continued this year.
Natural Soil Products has sought DEP approval for additional compost drying capabilities at the site.
As part of its review, DEP issued a technical deficiency letter on April 8, 2026, requesting additional information from the company.
Among the issues raised was odor control.
DEP requested more detailed information about the proposed drying process and the methods that would be used to control odors. The department also sought clarification regarding proposed processing volumes and noted that the facility is located within an Environmental Justice area.
Natural Soil Products submitted a response to the department's technical deficiency letter on June 25.
DEP records also show that Natural Soil Products submitted an application to renew its existing waste management permit on July 13, 2026. DEP accepted the renewal application on July 16.
Independent Monitoring Could Provide Additional Data
With complaints stretching back years, independent air monitoring could potentially provide another source of information beyond odor complaints and inspections conducted during individual incidents.
Specialized environmental consultants can use equipment capable of collecting outdoor air samples during suspected odor events. Samples can then be analyzed for compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, sulfur compounds and certain volatile organic compounds.
Monitoring stations can also record weather conditions at the same time samples are collected.
Matching air-quality measurements with wind direction, wind speed and other meteorological information could help investigators evaluate whether detected compounds are coming from the direction of a particular facility.
Any such study would require a carefully designed sampling plan to determine what compounds should be measured, where monitors should be placed and how long monitoring should continue.
For residents who have dealt with the issue for years, the central question remains whether additional independent testing could finally provide more comprehensive data about the odors affecting western Schuylkill County and their source.
DEP continues to maintain a public information page containing records related to Natural Soil Products, including the 2023 Consent Order and Agreement, subsequent enforcement documents, permit modification materials and the facility's current permit renewal application.