The Public Works department has requested the City of Waco budgets two additional deputies to investigate illegal dumping for the next fiscal year.
City of Waco Operations Administrator of Public Works Anna Dunbar said on average this year, solid waste trucks have collected 20,000 thousand pounds of trash dumped illegally every month. However, in July that amount is closer to 27,000.
"I don't know it's getting worse but with building and tear down and people moving in and out, seems more," Dunbar said.
She added the dumping usually happens at vacant lots or unattended lots with alleys.
"We are starting to have problems now with dumpsters. So a business pays for a dumpster and material is illegally dumped in that dumpster by someone who is not with that business," Dunbar said.
If approved, one of the additional deputies will investigate the illegal dumping at business dumpsters in the downtown area. The other one will assist code enforcement.
Keep Waco Beautiful Executive Director Ashley Millerd who cleans up the banks of the Brazos River often said in their last clean up on July 8th, the group found several unusual items.
"Our last clean up, we had a flat screen TV. We pulled a vacuum out. We'll pull lots of chairs out, fishing polls, just random camping gear," Millerd said.
She plans to continue cleaning up Waco.
"You feel good taking care of something. It's a pride thing," Millerd said.
To report illegal dumping, you can call Solid Waste Services 254-299-2612. Information such as date, time, location, vehicle, license plate number would be helpful.
Whenever that is reported, deputies, a crew of inmates or volunteers help pick it up for it to be collected by solid waste trucks.
If you live in Waco, you can drop off large items at the Waco Landfill by presenting your driver's license and a water bill with a matching address free of charge.
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