What’s that smell? Mystery odor pervades Wichita, but city says air quality is good

Wichita says it does not know the source of a mystery odor wafting across the city on Sunday and Monday.

“Staff from the Department of Public Works & Utilities report no unusual incidents or smells at City facilities. City staff is very interested in discovering the source of the smell and will continue to monitor air quality,” the city said late Monday afternoon.

Since air quality remained good, the city said, it will not actively look for the source of the smell.

“If the source of the odor is found, the city will coordinate with the appropriate government agency if necessary,” city communications manager Tyler Schiffelbein said in an email.

Wichitans were noticing the odor.

“We live in south city and you’re right... it was bad yesterday [Sunday], like an oil spill smell,” one south Wichita resident said in a Facebook post Monday morning.

A resident who said she works at Towne East Square said the odor had apparently entered the building.

“I’m working at towne east rn (right now) and the mall smells like burnt rubber really bad!” the resident said. “Also smelled it driving this morning.”

One person noted their nose burning from the smell.

“It was so strong it burnt my nose Sunday morning at Lincoln and Washington!!” a resident said. “It literally made me gag.”

People also reported the odor in Derby, north Wichita, south central Wichita, Riverside, at Grove and Central, at Kellogg and Webb Road, and at 135th and Maple, according to Facebook comments.

Although the odor appears to have started on Sunday, one resident said it was noticeably stronger on Monday.

“Smelled it yesterday... wasn’t as strong but today is super strong,” the resident said. “We had felt like we were getting sore throats and headaches.”

Residents have described the odor as burning oil, tires, rubber or a petroleum-based smell.