Countywide Landfill odor problem about to be solved
The Independent
BOLIVAR - Relief could be on the way for frustrated residents impacted by the noxious odor emanating from Countywide Landfill in Pike Township.
David Held, executive director of the Stark-Tusc.-Wayne Joint Solid Waste District, said crews are installing a polyethylene liner that eventually will cover 25 acres at the landfill. District officials learned Friday at a special meeting that the project should be completed within the next 45-60 days.
“They going to seal it and connect exhaust tubing to it so they can capture the gas and flare it off,” Held said. “We’re hopeful it’s going to work because the odor has been horrible for the residents. This should have been taken care of a long time ago.”
Complaints about the odor have been reported as far north as Central Catholic High School and as far south as Strasburg, according to Held.
“We continue to receive numerous odor complaints every day within a 5- to 8-mile radius,” Held said.
The landfill has been ordered by the EPA to resolve the odor issues by Dec. 15 or face the possibility of fines and the loss of their operating license. Held said EPA officials toured the landfill on Wednesday to assess the situation.
The presence of aluminum dross, a by-product of aluminum manufacturing process, in the landfill is believed to be one of the components in the odor problem, Held said.
Commissioners from Stark and Tuscarawas counties have filed formal complaints with the EPA over the odor.
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