DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — People living in the Rockmill subdivision near Ellenwood, say outrage is an understatement when discussing a growing landfill behind their neighborhood.
“It’s a rotten odor,” homeowner Gloria Walcott said.
Several homeowners told Channel 2′s Ashli Lincoln that the landfill that was once small and unnoticeable is now towering over homes.
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Sheryl Prince said the stench is so overwhelming, the smell seeps into her home.
“I wake up at 2 o clock in the morning gasping for air, because this stuff comes into my house,” Prince said.
Some homeowners say they were aware of the landfill when buying their homes in the 90′s, but because both the smell and views were out of sight it wasn’t an issue.
“When we came, bushes were so small it was covering up,” resident Greg May said.
However, a number of homeowners said their relator failed to disclose to them, they were purchasing a home near a landfill.
“I bought my house in good faith, and I moved from Chicago, Illinois and my relator never told me about a landfill,” Walcott said.
The DeKalb County Seminole Landfill opened in 1977.
DeKalb County said they’re aware of complaints about the odors.
The County said they have no plans to close the landfill.
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However, the Sanitation Department will discontinue operations in the waste disposal area currently in use nearest the Rockmill neighborhood.
A spokesperson for the County said once this discontinuation occurs, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will approve the opening of a new cell (3N) currently under construction.
Once operations discontinue in the current cell, it will be covered with dirt and grass will be planted on top of it.
Residents have complained about the landfill making them feel sick and lightheaded.
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The County says some of the gas odor residents have noticed was due to the installation of a new gas collection and control system that’s required by state law.
The County says the project, which is 80% complete, contains 44 methane gas wells drilled to collect methane from the ground safely.
The current cell is located adjacent to the 200-foot buffer and the location of the new cell is 300 feet from the buffer.
A spokesperson said this addition would greatly decrease the odors residents are experiencing.
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