Residents of the Poble Sec neighbourhood in Igualada are demanding urgent action over persistent noise and foul smells emanating from the Centre de Gestió Mediambiental (CGM), an industrial waste management facility located in the Polígon les Comes, adjacent to Parc Central.
In a formal statement, the Associació Veïnal del Poble Sec described the issue as a recurring problem that continues to disrupt daily life, despite repeated complaints to local authorities. The association stressed that this is not an isolated incident but a sustained nuisance affecting residents’ quality of life and their right to live in a peaceful environment.
The association has formally called on competent public agencies to identify the source and extent of the disturbances. They are urging for effective, transparent measures to address the situation, emphasising the need for definitive solutions rather than repeated responses to ongoing complaints.
The CGM site, operated by the company Gestió de Residus CGM, handles industrial and municipal waste processing. While no official health risks have been confirmed, similar odour complaints in nearby areas such as Vilanova del Camí have prompted municipal reassurances that public safety is not currently at risk, with possible causes attributed to agricultural activities or waste treatment processes.
Community Action and Ongoing Monitoring
The Associació Veïnal del Poble Sec, officially registered in January 2022 and active in representing local interests, has been coordinating resident concerns and submitting formal complaints to the Ajuntament d’Igualada. Their previous actions include reporting pigeon infestations and youth-related disturbances in public spaces, demonstrating a pattern of community-led environmental advocacy.
“We are not talking about a one-off nuisance. This is a recurring situation affecting our right to live in normal conditions.”
The association continues to monitor the situation and insists on greater accountability from both the facility operators and regulatory bodies. Residents are calling for regular environmental assessments and clearer communication from authorities about mitigation efforts.
Local Authorities and Public Response
The Ajuntament d’Igualada has previously acknowledged environmental concerns in urban planning documents, including commitments to reduce atmospheric and acoustic pollution under its Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (PMUS). However, specific actions related to the CGM facility have not yet been detailed in publicly available municipal records.
Residents affected by the odours and noise are encouraged to report incidents through official channels, including the municipal environmental office, to strengthen the case for intervention.
Primary sources: igualada.cat. Reported by veuanoia.cat, xeu.cat, poblesecigualada.cat, igualadanews.cat, igualadasomhi.cat, regio7.cat, La Veu de l'Anoia.
