Politics & Government
Garbage Can Becomes Martinez Neighborhood Hazard
Residents on Elderwood Drive are complaining that a garbage can is leaking hazardous chemicals, and they're wondering who's going to clean it up.
Martinez residents say an illegal dump site has cropped up on Elderwood Drive — and its becoming a serious health and environmental hazard.
A garbage can filled with cans of motor oil, household cleansers and other noxious fluids, has been sitting on Elderwood Drive, near Beechwood Drive, for more than a week. And now the garbage can is starting to leak and a black fluid is oozing toward a storm drain.
Neighbors are reportedly trying to stay ahead of the leaking fluid by spreading cat litter on it to keep it from reaching the storm drain. In the meantime, the City of Martinez and the Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Department are investigating the matter.
The only action taken so far has been a citation placed on the garbage can, but Martinez City Manager Philip Vince said he was concerned by the situation and that the investigation would continue in earnest.
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