UPDATE: During a meeting on Wednesday, officials warned Orange County, FL residents that odors coming from the Young Park landfill may not be resolved until the fall.
According to WFTV9, 23 more gas wells will be installed at the site next month, but the waste that is causing the odor will not be fully covered until September.
"I know they’re making their efforts and trying, but to me, I’m not really satisfied because I’m not seeing the results," said resident Tracy Jackson to WFTV9.
Dive Brief:
- Orange County, FL will spend $117,000 to install five new sensors at its Young Park landfill as part of an ongoing effort to resolve residents' complaints about odor issues.
- Solid Waste Manager Jim Becker said residents are smelling hydrogen sulfide. Levels of the gas are currently measured once a week, but the new sensors will allow for 24/7 location-specific monitoring.
- Becker attributed much of the odor to construction waste—such as gypsum board—mixing with residential waste and getting wet. New lateral wells will be installed to better collect the gas and different covering techniques will also be used.
Dive Insight:
Orange County residents have been pressuring officials to make changes at the landfill since last fall. More than 2,000 homes are within a 5-mile radius of the site and some residents from even farther away have also complained. The county has already installed new misting equipment and taken other steps to reduce the smell.
Residents in northern Florida's Walton County have also been complaining about odors recently. Reports of possible subterranean fires at a construction and demolition landfill owned by Waste Pro have led to increased inspections and concerns over air quality issues.
Republic Services has been dealing with odors issue at its Newby Island Landfill in San Jose, CA as well. The company recently paid for an odor study and may also be required to pay for mitigation upgrades as part of a legal settlement.
Landfill odors are never pleasant and mitigation can't come soon enough for those affected by them. Orange County Commissioner Jennifer Thompson told Fox 35 that she's happy with the new sensors, but looks forward to resolving the issue as soon as possible.
"I just wish it were happening a little bit quicker as somebody who is out there every day and smells the smell, depending on which way the wind is blowing," said Thompson.
