Editor’s note: This report started with a tip from a reader. If you see news break, email us immediately at [email protected] or text 571-989-1695.
Residents across a wide stretch of Prince William County — and at least into Stafford and Springfield — reported a sulfur, sewage or rotten-egg odor Saturday morning. Officials have not issued a public statement identifying a source.
Potomac Local News began hearing from readers around midday after posts circulated in Facebook, Ring and Nextdoor groups serving Woodbridge, Lake Ridge and Stafford.
What people said they smelled
- Sulfur, sewer, methane, garbage or “like Yellowstone”
- Several first thought it was a kitchen sink, septic tank or trash, then found it outside
- Strongest in the morning; weaker by early afternoon
A Woodbridge woman who asked that her name not be used said she lives near Potomac Club, Stone Ridge and Opitz Boulevard, by Sentara. She said the smell was in her living room about 7 to 8 a.m. after she slept with the back patio door open. When she went outside around 1 p.m., she said the scent had trailed off — or she had gone “nose blind” to it.
Neighborhoods and roads named in those posts
Woodbridge
- County Complex
- Minnieville
- Potomac Club / Stone Ridge / Opitz Boulevard area
- Rippon / Rippon Lodge
Lake Ridge
- Westridge
- Hedges Run
- Mount Burnside Way
- Oakwood
- Cotton Mill / Antietam
- Fantasy Park
- Tackett’s Mill
- Old Bridge Road
- Knightsbridge
- Dapple Gray Court
- Chinn
- Mohican
Dale City
- Cloverdale
- Darbydale
Also named
- Bristow
- Manassas
- Stafford (at least one resident)
- Springfield in Fairfax County (one commenter)
We have not independently verified every location named in social posts.
What we have asked
Potomac Local sent inquiries Saturday afternoon to county public information officers in Prince William, Stafford and Fairfax; to fire and rescue and emergency management in those localities; to Prince William Water, Fairfax Water, Virginia American Water and Stafford Utilities; and to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
We asked whether agencies logged odor or hazmat-type calls, whether a source has been identified, whether anyone was sent to investigate, and whether there is health guidance for residents.
What agencies have said so far
- Stafford Sheriff’s Office PIO Jackson Arnold referred questions to Stafford Fire and Rescue and to the sheriff’s FOIA portal. He said the sheriff’s office would provide no further information at this time.
- Fairfax Water’s public relations inbox acknowledged the inquiry and said it had been shared with staff.
- Stafford Utilities sent an automatic reply that a representative would review the message, typically within one business day.
- Fairfax County Fire and Rescue’s office of the fire chief sent an automatic acknowledgment.
Prince William County government, Prince William Fire and Rescue, Prince William Water, Virginia American Water, Fairfax County public affairs and DEQ had not issued an on-record response as of late Saturday afternoon.
What we do not know
- No agency has confirmed a source
- No agency has confirmed how many odor or hazmat calls came in
- No agency has issued health guidance tied to this smell
A sulfur or rotten-egg odor can come from several common sources, including wastewater treatment, sewer collection lines, landfills, natural gas odorant or stagnant water. That is not a finding that any of those is responsible Saturday.
How to reach us
Anyone who smelled it can tell us:
- Neighborhood or nearest road
- About what time
- Whether it was still there later in the day
Comment on Potomac Local’s social posts or email [email protected]. We will keep names and exact addresses out of the story if you ask.
We will update this report when agencies reply.
