A loud, constant sound on Erie's east side has residents wondering where it is coming from.

The sound, which has been described as a "machine-like hum," is apparently being emitted from the Accuride manufacturing plant on E. 12th St.

The company hasn't returned any calls from Erie News Now, but the noise has been so loud that one person got in her vehicle one night and drove several blocks to track it down.

Marilyn Simmons recorded it a few nights ago outside the Accuride plant at 12th and East Ave. She describes it as a loud and constant hum.

"Other people and myself have had issues trying to go to sleep at night because of the humming," Simmons said. "You wake up to the humming. You go to sleep with the humming, you stay in your home and do whatever. It's a constant humming."

Father Jerry Priscaro is with the East Avenue/Hess Avenue Neighborhood Watch. His church is just down the street from Accuride. The group discussed the noise at its most recent meeting.

Members decided to file a complaint with the city.

"When so many people have heard the noise and say its disturbing them from several blocks away, that's enough proof that there's a problem," Priscaro said. 

The city is referring all complaints to the State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It turns out the DEP does not regulate noise pollution complaints. But it can solve the mystery of what's making the neighbors miserable.

The DEP says it's coming from a fan installed inside the Accuride plant to address an air quality issue. What remains a mystery is when and if the noise will sound off again.

Father Jerry says the neighborhood watch is all in favor of manufacturing.

But he also wants accountability from the company.

Until then, the hum continues.