Santa Barbara County officials say they think they’ve solved the mystery behind a big stink on the South Coast. Something has been smelling nasty in parts of Goleta.
People first noticed it Sunday afternoon in the Ellwood area. It was a powerful stench which smelled like rotten eggs. Some thought the problem might be stemming from oil facilities in the area. But, Santa Barbara County Public Health Department environmental specialists say tests ruled out the facilities as the cause.
They linked the issue to naturally occurring hydrogen sulfide from an agricultural well being drilled in the area. The well drilling permit was suspended Monday, and work will remain stopped until a plan is developed to deal with the hydrogen sulfide.
No injuries were reported.
