Unpleasant smell in Leonberg has not been explained for seven years

It stinks in Leonberg (Böblingen district) – and it still does. While the city and district office continue to puzzle over where the unpleasant smell comes from, there is dissatisfaction in the community west of Stuttgart. The “Stuttgarter Zeitung” had previously reported.

Up to ten complaints end up in the public order office every week, said a city spokeswoman in response to a dpa request. The smell is described by citizens, among other things, as “bitumen, oil or lubricant-like as well as chemical or tar-like”.

“No ventilation possible”

The residents of Leonberg vent their displeasure online on the website of a defect reporter set up specifically for this purpose. For example, one user writes: "strong stench - just sickening", others write: "extreme stench in the air and that's been going on since 4 a.m.", "horrible smell of bitumen or something similar, no window to open and ventilate possible" or: "the familiar putrid smell again". A user who says she works in the hospital writes: “It’s a real disgrace for residents and patients!!”

Where does the smell come from?

That is still unclear. In response to a dpa request, a spokesman for the Böblingen district office said that the city and district had already made “extensive efforts” to identify the source of the problem. All companies and technical systems in question have been fully checked - so far without success.

However, there is no danger to the health of the people in Leonberg. According to the district administrator's spokesman, this is what the city's measurements revealed. Nevertheless, the so far unsuccessful search for the cause of the stench is causing dissatisfaction among everyone involved, who understandably feels burdened, as well as among the authorities, who, despite their best efforts, have not yet had a clear solution. The situation will continue to be monitored closely, it said.

First reports seven years ago

The problem in Leonberg is not new: it all started seven years ago: According to the district office, the first report was made in 2019. A little later, the municipality received almost daily reports of the stench, as a municipal spokeswoman announced last year.