Summer in Vancouver is fantastic for many things, such as pools (if you can get in), fun concerts, and events, but due to the heat, some folks are reporting that something smells bad in the city.
Whether it’s related to garbage, sewage, or poultry processing plants, the summertime, particularly during warm weeks like this one, can cause Vancouver and parts of Metro Vancouver to smell not so great.
A website dedicated to smell reporting — yes, you read that right — has received numerous reports within the last week in Vancouver, primarily centred around the downtown area and the Mount Pleasant area, which doesn’t sound too pleasing to the noses of the residents in that neighbourhood who have sounded off online.
SmellVan allows users to input the intensity of the smells, with a maximum of 5. Many of the reports have been rated a 5. Many specific unpleasant smells have been reported throughout the city at that level, described as rotten eggs, decaying animal matter, garbage, and sewage. There have been several reports made within the last 24 hours.
(If you do smell rotting eggs nearby, it could be related to a gas leak, in which case you should notify FortisBC).
Some SmellVan users are reporting that the smells were so intense that they woke them up. Others have reported that the smells have made them feel nauseous.
Folks are also reporting smelling foul odours on Reddit, with someone calling it the “Great Stink of 2025.” Some have suggested that it may be related to a sewer repair project currently underway in Mount Pleasant.
Odds are that, depending on your neighbourhood, there could be numerous origins for the odours you’re experiencing, as indicated by SmellVan. The smell you’re experiencing if you’re around downtown could have a different origin than what folks are suffering through in the Mount Pleasant area.
The City of Vancouver said the same thing to us in response to our request for comment.
“We are not aware of any sewer issues. During periods of warm weather, it is not uncommon for sewer systems to emit odours from time to time,” a City spokesperson told Daily Hive.
“Pinpointing the exact source of the odour can be challenging unless someone is standing near a maintenance hole or vent to confirm the exact location.”
The City encourages residents to report any odd smells or odours by calling 3-1-1 or using the 3-1-1 app.
A spokesperson for Metro Vancouver told Daily Hive it has received odour complaints from several areas since yesterday evening, and officers are reviewing the information.
“With information coming from different areas, it is a complex situation and may take time to identify the cause(s),” Metro Vancouver added.
Have you been experiencing any foul odours in Vancouver? Let us know in the comments.
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