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City Connection: Illegal dumping is a much bigger problem than it may seem
trash on Herndon
The appalling recent incidence of illegal dumping on Herndon Road in Ceres shows that some residents just don’t care how they they impact the appearance of their community.

The City of Ceres and the Ceres Courier have partnered to provide readers with current events and important information from the city of Ceres Public Works Department in a regular feature, City Connection.

Illegal disposal activities and unsightly blight is a common concern among many Ceres residents and city staff. Old mattresses, sofas, appliances, tires, and household garbage may often be found along city streets and sidewalks. Illegal dumping is a much bigger problem than it may seem, and the impact is further reaching than you might realize.

It is a public health hazard. Waste piles can attract rodents and other disease carrying pests that can pose a threat to human health.

1). It is damaging to the environment. Seepage from garbage piles can contaminate ground water and leek into the local waterways causing water quality issues on an already strained natural resource.

2). It can lower property values and impact economic development. Potential buyers and/or investors can be offput by blight and unsightly trash.  And when properties don’t sell, it can affect the whole market.

3). It is a potential safety issue. Trash piles tend to be highly flammable and nearby structures could be vulnerable if a fire erupts.

The city of Ceres offers programs for proper disposal of certain waste items and materials.  Twice per year, city residential utility customers are provided bulky item pick-ups for oversized waste that does not fit in the regular garbage cart.  The city also offers a seasonal leaf and limb collection for residential customers for curbside collection of garden and yard trimmings. Customers utilizing either of these opportunities, however, must adhere to the program guidelines.

The bottom line is dumping waste illegally is wrong and damaging to the entire community! Proper methods and resources to dispose of any material are available. The city of Ceres recently adopted a penalty structure for violators and can be fined up to $500 when issued by the Public Works Department. However, the state Penal Code allows for up to $3,000 and violators can be sited with criminal charges.

If you need more information on how to dispose of certain wastes, or would like to report an illegal disposal issue, visit the city’s website at https://www.ci.ceres.ca.us/658/Illegal-Disposal-Issues or call 538-5732.