Across Shelby County, from downtown Memphis to the suburbs of Germantown and Millington, residents woke up to a pervasive, unpleasant odor on Sunday night that lingered into Monday. The smell, described variously as a dirty diaper, sulfur, rotten eggs or chemical fumes, has prompted a citywide response.
Community reports and reactions
Action News 5 reporter Joyce Peterson confirmed the odor in East Memphis, saying it even entered her home. Long‑time resident Jacob Taylor said the scent was strongest on Union Avenue between Union and Second Streets downtown. “That’s where the smell hit me the hardest,” he told reporters.
Another local, Tony Rudd, could not identify the source, calling it “some off‑smell… not usual.” City Councilman JB Smiley posted on Facebook, asking residents for any clues about why the city “smells so bad.”
Possible explanations
Speculation ranged from sewer issues to atmospheric conditions. Taylor suggested the city’s sewer system might be to blame, noting recent complaints about sewer odors infiltrating homes. However, both of Memphis’s wastewater treatment plants—T.E. Maxson on the south side and M.C. Stiles on the north—have been ruled out as the source.
Mayor Paul Young said city crews are examining all possibilities. “We have our team looking into it. I’ve heard a lot of different things around the weather, clouds, things of that nature,” Young said, adding that he could not yet pinpoint the cause.
The First Alert Weather team offered a meteorological angle, explaining that a temperature inversion could trap odors and pollutants near the ground, making them more noticeable. Judge Javier Bailey II humorously noted on Facebook that “y’all know this city has been stanky on random days all my life.”
Historical context
This is not the first time Memphis has experienced an unexplained smell. Action News 5 investigated a similar countywide odor in 2019, which also remained unsolved. In March 2024, another odor was reported, with one city official attributing it to Bradford pear trees.
Despite the mystery, residents like Taylor remain resilient. “It’s Memphis. We’re used to different things down here,” he said, reflecting a community accustomed to occasional oddities.
Next steps
City officials continue to monitor the situation, testing air quality and coordinating with environmental agencies. Residents are encouraged to report any new developments or locations where the odor is strongest.
Mayor Young assured the public that the city will keep the community informed as the investigation progresses. “We’ll let you know as soon as we have more information,” he said.
Original reporting: Action News 5 WMC (Gray) — read the source article.
