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Residents urge Lake County to oppose deep‑well injection, citing benzene and permit concerns
Summary
During public comment, several residents presented paperwork and oral testimony alleging historical unauthorized disposals, chronic odors, and benzene exceedances at sites tied to the Heart of Florida/ACAMS operation; commissioners recorded the testimony and approved a resolution opposing the project.
At the June 23 meeting, multiple residents provided detailed public comment urging the board to oppose a proposed deep‑well injection project tied to Heart of Florida/ACAMS. Catherine Wright said she compiled a packet of reports and correspondence she said documented the company's past unauthorized disposals, permitting problems and odor complaints; she told commissioners her review showed benzene exceedances in water‑quality reports from 2023–2026.
Jeff Coulson, a longtime Lake County resident with industrial wastewater experience, warned of the risk of leaching and contamination if industrial liquids are injected into or beyond the aquifer. “Anytime you're injecting any kind of substances into our... aquifer, there is chance of leaching, leaking, well breakage,” Coulson said, and urged more rigorous treatment rather than subsurface disposal.
Another commenter, Elena Colson, said trainloads of waste from Miami‑Dade are brought to nearby facilities, stressing that the activity is not locally limited. Commissioners thanked speakers and discussed next steps; the board later formalized opposition through a resolution.
The comments formed the factual record underlying the board’s subsequent resolution and will be part of staff follow‑up and any legislative outreach.
