Residents Demand Answers About Odor From Rumpke Dump
COLERAIN TWP., Ohio -- Dozens of residents lashed out Thursday at officials about the state of the Rumpke landfill in Colerain Township.
"I feel we're being managed and dismissed," on resident said. While another tried to make sure their voices were heard saying, "How many hands do I have that we be allowed to speak and address to what you are doing. Nothing."
Residents said they were looking to have their questions about the smell coming from the dump answered, not a presentation.
"There's no flames, no smoke. It doesn't smell like something's burning," said Paul Ruesch of the EPA.
Neighbors have described the smell as a mixture of chemicals.
"It doesn't matter if it's a reaction or a fire," Ruesch said. "The dynamic is the same and we're going to deal with it and control it based on what it's giving off."
There have been rare temperature recordings 100 feet below the surface at 11-acres of the dump since August.
Neighbors of Mt. Rumpke said they're fed up with what they describe as that harsh odor, poor air quality, and possible long-term health effects.
"We don't know what's coming out," one neighbor said. "It smells really bad and it's hard to believe that something that smells that bad is ok to breathe."
"We understand the frustrations of the community the odors are a concern of ours as well," Jay Roberts, an engineer with Rumpke Engineer. "We do what we can to mitigate the odors and be invisible at the property line."
Rumpke has tossed an additional foot of clay soil in some areas plus an odor neutralizing agent.
