MOUNT DORA, Fla. – After years of complaints about a strong, unpleasant odor in parts of Mount Dora, city leaders this week said they may finally know the cause.
A new city-ordered study points to the Mid Florida Mount Dora landfill as the likely source.
Investigators looked at the landfill, a Mount Dora wastewater plant and an industrial site, but the city’s 83-page report, entitled Odor Characterization Study, said the landfill was the “likely source.”
“All three methods of source investigation – H2S data analysis, dispersion modeling, and human observation - indicate that the Mid Florida Mount Dora landfill is the likely source of the pervasive odors experienced in the southeast Mount Dora area.”
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“This vindicates the city of Mount Dora, in my opinion, with clear and convincing evidence. That states it is not our issue. It is not our problem,” a city official said at a Tuesday meeting.
The city said it will work with Lake County to address the issue and also plans to engage directly with the landfill operator.
“Well, I mean certainly we’re going to be one of the lead agencies as will Lake County,” said Mount Dora Mayor James Homich. “We’re getting together with Lake County to try to determine a course of action based on the findings. But there are several courses of action to be taken.”
Homich said they are set to meet with Lake County officials to try and determine the next steps.
“We can’t just go out on our own, but we want to work with Lake County to try and eliminate the smell,” Homich said.
News 6 reached out on social media to try and talk to people who are impacted by the smell.
One person who recently moved to the Foothills Preserve community near Stoneybrook in Orange County was available to speak with News 6.
However, his experience with the smell isn’t the same as most.
“Obviously, I’d rather not experience it, but you know the times that we have, it’s kind of like one of those things if you live within a certain proximity of a landfill or a treatment plant, you’re going to see that or smell that rather — but it hasn’t been this horrible event that we were led to believe,” said Orange County resident Ron Peterson.
Here is the statement from Mid Florida:
“We are aware of a report, and are going to look into it. Our facility has been and remains in full compliance with applicable air quality regulations, and we will address any concerns of the DEP.”
Mid Florida