“Basically, we feel like we’re prisoners in our own home,” said German Village resident Kevin Howard. “We can’t open up the windows. We can’t sit outside. We can’t have cookouts.”
Stony Hollow operator Waste Management on Friday acknowledged the stench, noting in a statement “we apologize for any inconvenience to our neighbors.”
Odors from the landfill became an issue this past spring and prompted complaints from Moraine and Jefferson Twp. residents.
At that time, officials at the landfill said the odor issues were related to efforts to correct what the Regional Air Pollution Control Agency said were U.S. EPA violations in "operating various wells" since May 2015.
Regarding the most recent problem, Stony Hollow “will work diligently with the regulatory agencies until it is under control,” according to a statement from Kathy Trent, public affairs manager for Waste Management.
“This community and our neighbors are important to us and we’re taking this issue very seriously. We are working to address any landfill odor issues as quickly as we can,” according to the statement.
Moraine City Manager David Hicks said he has had discussions with officials from Stony Hollow, the city of Dayton and regulatory agencies. He said additional well digging at the landfill is the source of the problem.
Hicks expressed frustration at the situation and said it’s not likely to get any better for until the well digging is finished in mid-November. Until then, he urged residents to continue to file complaints. They can be made at http://www.ci.moraine.oh.us/ or calling (937) 356-6203
That wasn’t comforting to Moraine residents like Terrence Stephenson.
“When I’m out in the yard working I find myself now gasping for air,” the Johnson Trail resident said. “I can’t even have company to come over because they say, ‘What is that smell? You live with this?’ It didn’t use to be like that.”
Waste Management’s statement indicated “Stony Hollow has a number of construction projects under way and these projects should help to address any issues.”
The projects include an “extensive” new gas well collection and piping network, additional gas flare system, upgrades to liquid and gas collection lines, and an odor control barrier to be installed over a portion of the landfill, according to Waste Management.
Trent said updates can be found at www.stonyhollowlandfill.com. Until the issues are addressed, the odors will have a widespread impact, Howard said.
“I feel like it’s affecting everyone – from people waiting on public transportation to the children….walking to and from school,” he said. “ Even the people who don’t’ live in Moraine that have to drive through it and (people) employed here.”
About the Author
