News Release 371

FLOOD CLEANUP TIP: CLEANING UP SANDBAGS

Volume 36-365

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 23, 2008 -- Thousands of sandbags were used recently to prevent flood damage to homes and businesses. Now, many are left with an important question: What to do with all those sandbags?

First, care should be taken to prevent broken bags from releasing sand into waterways or storm sewers. If sandbags are emptied of their contents, the bags themselves must be properly disposed of in a permitted sanitary disposal facility to reduce the potential for litter problems. Testing will not be required unless obviously contaminated. Follow proper procedures for disposing of sand that appears to have been contaminated by petroleum or other hazardous materials.

Sandbags may be used as clean fill as long as they are subsequently covered with a layer of soil or other structural materials at least 12 inches deep. Sandbags may also be used as daily cover at permitted sanitary landfills. Placement of the sand in playgrounds, sandboxes or other areas of direct human contact soon after use in sandbags should be avoided, as the sand may have been exposed to harmful bacteria in floodwaters. Bacteria will dissipate with time and exposure to the elements. Sand could be stockpiled and used for winter road sand, fill, concrete or mortar sand, and other uses.

Sandbags may be stored indefinitely in piles so long as local ordinances are observed. Crushed limestone is considered clean fill and may be used when structurally appropriate.

Missourians seeking resource referrals or non-emergency help, as well as those wanting to volunteer, are urged to call 211. The 211 Service is now available for most areas of Missouri and helps citizens with disaster information and referrals. In areas where 211 is not operational, citizens may call 800-427-4626. Information is also available on the Web at www.211missouri.org, or by
e-mailing 211missouri@stl.unitedway.org.

For more information on sandbag cleanup, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Solid Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827. The department also has additional resources available to help guide flood cleanup efforts available on its Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/disaster.htm.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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