City Grapples with Huge Post-Storm Debris Problem

 

SAN ANGELO, TX — After the massive thunderstorms that hit San Angelo the evening of June 24, the City of San Angelo set up three emergency debris drop-off sites, at the coliseum, San Angelo Stadium, and near Fisherman’s Road near Lake Nasworthy. Trash and debris piles at these sites have grown exponentially since clean up efforts have mostly ceased. The storms were over two weeks ago.

Littered in with the to-be-disposed tree limbs and brush are old couches and mattresses and other bulk trash items not necessarily the result of the storms. The temporary trash drop-off areas have become the new bulk trash collection areas for just about anything.

A video tour of the piles of trash and debris at San Angelo Coliseum. WATCH:
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City Operations Director Shane Kelton said the drop-off areas are about to become a relic of the past, but first he said, the City is looking for a contractor to shred the tree limbs and wood into mulch. “We are accepting emergency bids for a company to grind up all the tree limbs and debris,” Kelton said.

Kelton said the City has existing storage areas for mulch to use on City properties like its parks. He plans to add the mulch generated from the temporary drop-off locations to the City stockpile and save space in the landfill. Kelton said the City is offering the San Angelo ISD access to as much of the mulch as the district wants.

As for the old furniture, Kelton said the temporary drop-off locations were abused. As the City begins to clean up the areas, expect illegal dumpers to be stopped.

Ray Grothaus, regional general manager for Republic Services, said San Angeloans should utilize the bulk drop-off facilities at the landfill, or every-other-week bulk pickup. "We responded with emergency roll off deliveries and service, and are helping the citizens at the landfill and on our bulk routes to clean up after the storm. Storms like this remind us how great of a City we live in with the overwhelming response by friends and neighbors. Republic Services also is standing by should the City or citizens need any further assistance,” he said.

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Were the temporary drop off sites abused ? Probably so..........
Can I blame the people for dumping whatever they had at that time ? Hell No !!!
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With the use of a water bill, a city resident can dump 1 time per month for free. After that, there is a minimum fee of $18 per load all the way up to $32 per load charged to any city resident to use the dump. There is absolutely no wonder people dumped what they could, when they could. There is also no mystery behind why every back road, dead end or out of the way location is also used to dump trash or discard unwanted items and though it is not right, I can't blame a single person for doing it at those rates...........

What they should of done knowing that people would drop off items other than tree limbs was sit a big construction dumpster at each location , have a large fence around the area and only have it open from 7 to 7 with someone at each location during those hours to watch everyone dropping something off. Then put up a sign that states if it's not tree limbs it must be placed in the dumpster and also that no tires or appliances are being accepted! I agree that our bills are so high that they should be able to dump whatever they want to but that does not make it right. Treat everyone like 5 year olds and maybe they will follow the rules. Looks like some did not do that.

Common sense should be enough to realize trash was not intended to be dumped at these temporary sites.
To those who we're not smart enough or just didn't care enough to take their junk to the landfill. Thanks.
I like a majority of homeowners, are happy our tax dollars will go to clean your mess up.
We are also grateful that now due to a few bad decisions. The city will most likely not set up sites like this in the future to ease clean up and expenses.

We need more citizens here that are too cheap or too lazy to take their crap to the dump.

You got someone from Republic to respond??? How??? Several weeks ago I called and called at various times with a question about dumping, finally emailing. The response? "Call the Abilene landfill. Maybe THEY would answer the phone." No wonder people have taken the opportunity to dump.

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