What is causing the mysterious bad smell in Mount Dora? The solution may have been found.

In Mount Dora, Florida, residents have been troubled by a persistent foul smell for several years. City officials have announced that they may have identified the source of this odor after conducting a thorough investigation.

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]

Multiple locations, including the landfill, a wastewater plant, and an industrial site, were scrutinized by investigators. However, a detailed 83-page report named the landfill as the probable culprit in the issue of the unpleasant smell.

The report, known as the Odor Characterization Study, stated, “All investigations conducted – which included H2S data analysis, dispersion modeling, and human observations – point towards the Mid Florida Mount Dora landfill as the main source of the pervasive odors affecting the southeast Mount Dora region.”

“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.