Odour reporting
A participatory tool to better understand and manage odour nuisances
Odours are part of daily life. Some are pleasant, but others can quickly become a nuisance when strong or persistent. They shape how we feel, how we perceive air quality, and even how we relate to our neighbours.
Since odour perception is personal and momentary, it’s hard to measure objectively. That’s why citizen observations are so valuable — they help identify the sources and conditions that lead to odour events.
Why report an odour?
When you report an odour, you help build a shared understanding of local air quality. Each report helps to:
map out where odours occur most often,
connect odour events with weather conditions, and
support municipalities and industries in identifying and addressing sources more quickly.
This collective data is key to improving well-being and quality of life in our communities.
Our approach follows the principles of citizen science, as outlined in the UNE 77270 standard, “Building Collaborative Odour Maps Through Citizen Science.” This standard provides a framework for collecting odour observations collaboratively and building shared odour maps — a major advancement in the field. (Read the full article here.)
How Odour Alert works
Odour Alert is a simple, user-friendly app developed by Air & Odour.
It lets anyone report an odour in just a few steps, while giving municipalities and industries access to advanced analysis tools.
Observation
Notice an unusual smell? Simply record the location, time, and description of the odour in the online form.
Analysis
Each observation is cross-referenced with local weather data — including wind direction and speed — to better understand odour dispersion.
Identification
Potential odour sources — like wastewater treatment plants, landfills, and industries — are built into the platform to help identify possible correlations more easily.
Monitoring and Communication
Partner municipalities and industries receive automatic alerts when odours are detected nearby, helping them respond faster and keep citizens informed.
A comprehensive analysis tool
The app does more than just collect observations. It also offers:
Interactive maps showing odour reports alongside local weather conditions
Interactive tables and charts to monitor trends over time
A full record of all reported observations
A custom dashboard for partner municipalities and industries
These tools help guide decisions and enhance communication among citizens, authorities, and facility operators.
Working together for better air!
Odour Alert encourages a collaborative and transparent approach to odour management. By reporting your observations, you help improve the environment and support better communication within your community.
Smell something unusual?
Share your observation right away, here or on Odour Alert.
Want to learn more?
To learn more, head over to the Odour Alert website.