Manholes being used for illegal dumping

Lawrenceville, Ga., (January 20, 2010) – Gwinnett County is asking for help from the public to catch people who are prying up sewer system manhole covers to dump various kinds of waste.

“People have been dumping everything from grease and chemicals to septic tank pumping,” said Acting Director of Water Resources Lynn Smarr. “It’s not only illegal but it’s also dangerous for the perpetrators and our employees. We’re asking anyone who sees suspicious activity to report it immediately.”

Residents can call Gwinnett Police at 770.513.5100 or Water Resources at 678.376.7000. Both lines are staffed 24 hours a day. County vehicles are clearly marked and Water Resources employees wear uniforms. 

“Tough economic times lead people to do things they wouldn’t normally do,” said Deputy Director Tyler Richards. “We all need to be vigilant to protect public health and safety.”

“As environmental regulations get tighter, we’ve got to be strict about enforcing illegal dumping laws,” added Smarr.