Residents living in a rural area just outside Kellyville, Oklahoma are voicing concerns about the regular land application of biosolids—sometimes referred to as “humanure”—on nearby agricultural property.

According to several local residents, the practice has been occurring for years on farmland in the area. They report that when biosolids are applied, strong odors can travel across neighboring properties, especially during warmer weather or when winds carry the vapors toward nearby homes.

Some residents say the odors have been intense enough to cause headaches, nausea, or other health symptoms during application periods. They also claim the issue tends to recur annually, leading to ongoing frustration for people living nearby.

In addition to the odor concerns, neighbors have also raised issues about trucks used to transport and apply the material. Residents report that some vehicles have leaked liquids along local roadways, which they say contributes to road damage and leaves residue on the pavement.

Discussions about the issue have surfaced on local community social media pages, where residents have debated the impacts of biosolids application on rural neighborhoods. Some community members say complaints have been dismissed or mocked, further increasing tensions between those living nearby and those involved in the land application process.

Residents also point to a recent Oklahoma Open Records Act request submitted to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeking a list of approved biosolids land application sites over the past five years. According to those who reviewed the records, the properties in question did not appear on the list of approved application locations during that time period.

This has raised additional questions among residents about the regulatory status of the site. Some are asking whether the applications may have been approved prior to the five-year window covered by the request, whether they may have been approved under a different permit or location identifier, or whether the sites may not have been included in the records provided.

Biosolids are commonly used in agriculture as a soil amendment because they contain nutrients beneficial to crops. However, their use can be controversial in rural communities when concerns arise about odors, environmental impacts, or potential health effects.

Residents say they hope the issue will receive more attention from local officials and environmental regulators to ensure that application practices are conducted responsibly and with consideration for neighboring properties.

Local and state agencies typically regulate biosolids application through permitting and environmental oversight, though enforcement and monitoring can vary by location. Some residents say they would like clarification from regulators regarding the approval and oversight of biosolids application sites in the area.