Looking Back at 2020: That Smell in Tangerine and Surrounding Communities


 

Nearly a year ago, the founders of "That Smell in Tangerine and Surrounding Communities" came to the conclusion that it was going to take a concerted effort to reduce the odor problems in our area. 

We started out as Tangerine residents living primarily around Lake Ola and spread to Zellwood, Stoneybrook Hills, and as far North as Round Lake Road. The Tangerine Improvement Society had been encouraging members to call elected officials when there was an odor. We saw that it wasn't enough and nothing was happening to solve the problems. 

It was time to step up the effort, so the Facebook page page was born on January 12, 2020. It gave residents a chance to share their experiences and to begin to reach the right people at the regulatory level. It wasn't all peaches and cream, though. At least one employee  of Shelley's Septic Tank and his/her friends were among the first members and they popped up and defended the sources of the smell, especially when it was related to the septic business. We routed them out but I'm sure they'll try to get in again. 

Fast forward to January 12, 2021 and Anuvia is shuttered until certain requirements are met as ordered by the FDEP, Shelley's Septic Tank was cited for numerous code violations, Moneterey Mushrooms was ordered to correct part of its wastewater treatment procedure as it was in violation of Florida law, and Jones Avenue in Zellwood is a cleaner place. We have members in Lake County as we are dealing with odors from the waste water treatment plant on 441 and some still complain about odors from the landfill both of which are located in Lake County. 

And to think it all started as a little FB group and we're not done yet. 


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