Mount Dora landfill faces fine after residents complain of bad smell
What's that smell? That's a question lots of Mount Dora residents have been asking.
The city and officials from the state have been trying to identify the source of an offensive odor that is affecting several neighborhoods. At least one possible source is now facing a fine.
Mid-Florida Materials, a privately run landfill off State Road 46 in Mount Dora, is at the center of a heated debate over an offensive odor.
According to many Mount Dora residents, in recent years, an unpleasant odor has become a regular occurrence in nearby neighborhoods.
Residents have pointed fingers both at the landfill and the city's wastewater treatment plant.
One of the communities most affected by the odor is Sullivan Ranch, which sits just behind the landfill. Homeowners say the stench is affecting their quality of life.
"You smell that and it's awful, you know, you got the breeze and it's right in your face. It's not fun,” resident Kaitlynne Shea said.
As the complaints mount, both the city of Mount Dora and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has been investigating.
Documents WESH 2 News obtained from DEP show that on Jan. 18, DEP workers confirmed the presence of offsite odors from both the landfill and the wastewater plant.
DEP had previously gotten a court order to force Mid-Florida Materials to address its odor problem and now the landfill is being fined for non-compliance.
In a letter dated Jan. 25, DEP informed the landfill, “the Department is assessing a stipulated penalty of $1000 (per day)…for failure to comply with the requirements (of the previous consent order).”
WESH 2 News reached out to the landfill but has yet to receive a response.
Meantime, those affected by the odor are just anxious for some relief
"This is a nice neighborhood and you expect a certain quality of life around here,” Shea said.
DEP and the city of Mount Dora held an online meeting Thursday to talk about the issue. WESH 2 News is awaiting a statement from the city manager on the outcome of that meeting.
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