Residents of Bay View have been grappling with a persistent and overwhelming odor, often described as sewer-like, particularly following heavy rainstorms. For the past three years, the smell has plagued certain neighborhoods, forcing some residents to seek temporary refuge elsewhere.

Aaron Thiel, a Bay View resident, describes the odor as “sickeningly sweet with a tinge of sulfur.” The issue has become so severe that his family has occasionally resorted to staying in hotels. Despite efforts to resolve the problem, including spending thousands on plumbing repairs, the odor remains a constant concern, according to TMJ4.

Aaron Thiel described the odor popping up in parts of Bay View as sickening. It’s gotten so bad at some points that he’s had to get a hotel for his family. Courtesy of TMJ4

Another resident, Elena, noticed the odor intensifying after recent rainstorms, making even simple tasks like walking to her car unbearable. She equates the smell to sewage and sulfur—a pungent combination that has left her and her neighbors frustrated and anxious.

The Milwaukee Department of Public Works and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District are aware of the issue and have begun deodorizing affected sewers. However, the exact cause of the odor remains a mystery, leaving residents like Thiel and Elena in a state of uncertainty as they await a solution. The community is now bracing for the next rainfall, fearing the odor’s return.