What is That Awful Smell in Northville?

Visitors to downtown Northville Tuesday noticed a strange smell around the city.

People on Facebook and Twitter questioned and speculated about the stench's source, asking if it was gas or maybe sewage.

It turns out it was nothing more than garbage. Wet, spoiling garbage.

Northville Public Works Clerk Wendy Gutowski said the smell is coming from Dumpsters behind the restaurants downtown.

"It's never been this bad," she said.

The odor was so strong it got officials from the city and police and fire departments to walk the streets of Northville to search for the source.

Public Works Director Jim Gallogly concluded that the smell was from the Dumpsters, Gutowski said. It's a combination of the heavy rain Monday night and the high temperatures, she said.

On top of that, she said the liquid that settled after the rain at the bottom of the Dumpsters leaked onto the pavement when the trucks emptied them.

"We're hoping for a good rain to wash this away," Gutowski said.

It's nothing dangerous, she said, so there's no reason to stay indoors. But until the horrible odor fades away, try pinching your nose.

Did you notice the smell? What did you think it was? Tell us in the comments.