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.

[Watch video below to see residents voice concern at 2024 meeting]

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.”

“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.