Dunbar sludge cleanup nears completion

Reporter: Gina Tomlinson
Published: Updated:
Dunbar sludge site nears completion, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (WINK News photo)
Dunbar sludge site nears completion, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (WINK News photo)

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the total budget estimate as the cost over budget.

Sludge has been buried in Dunbar land for decades, but now it is just weeks from being completely removed. It is welcoming news for residents living near the former Dunbar dumping site.

The city dumped lime residue in the lot in the 1960s. It later would test positive for arsenic.

The cleanup process started in late 2018. The city said it plans to have it removed within the next three weeks.

A WINK News drone flew overhead earlier Monday. The aerial view shows dump trucks rolling through and the backhoe continuing to dig up dirt.

Thus far, crews have removed more than 23,000 tons of the estimated 30,000 tons from the site.

The original estimate for cleanup approved by city council is $4 million.

The Dept. of Environmental Protection continues to oversee the work happening here to make sure it meets its guidelines.

 

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