Fridges, strollers and even sex toys are showing up in ditches along Metchosin roads.
The District of Metchosin is at its wits end over an increase in illegal dumping.
“We’ve been picking up heavy items like refrigerators and stoves,” said Joe Martignago, Metchosin’s chief administrative officer, explaining the long cul-de-sacs are the most common locations for illegal dumping.
Rod and Donna Bloomfield know too well, living at the top end of Neild Road. They have lived in their home for the past four years and, ever since moving in, have seen items dumped on their road.
“It’s such a majestic view,” Rod said on his deck, overlooking a valley. “You don’t want to look at garbage on the side of the road on the way up here.”
While they have never caught anyone in the act, the Bloomfields have felt the repercussions of the dumping over and over.
“We’ve had mattresses dumped in the ditch and Rod had to use the Bobcat to haul them out,” said Donna.
Recently they’ve stumbled across two deer carcasses and a large aquarium.
“I’d rather people knock on the door (and ask) for five bucks,” Donna said, explaining she’d pay the nominal fee to have the items properly recycled.
Dumping is occurring all over the district and, while it’s always been a problem, the crews charged with doing the clean-up say it seems to be getting worse.
“We picked up a bathtub a couple of weeks ago ... We find everything, literally, including the kitchen sink,” Martignago said.
Even commercial items, such as roofing tiles have been found.
In two weeks, the public works crew have managed to fill a large bin, about 60-feet-long and eight-feet-high.
“We’ve found dead cats in bags, sex toys and even a crack pipe last week,” said Gord Grivel, of Metchosin public works. “We’ve found almost everything except for money. That’s how we know it wasn’t dropped by accident.”
The municipality has to cover the cost of having the items removed, which means taxpayers foot the bill for the work.
“These guys get paid a reasonable wage,” Martignago said explaining it costs thousands of dollars to have the messes cleaned up.
With the Capital Regional District proposing to stop taking kitchen waste in the landfill, Metchosin Mayor John Ranns is concerned it will lead to more dumping.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com
Solutions
At the end of May, a scrap metal bin will be located at the Metchosin community hall for recycling items, including large ones such as stoves. The bin will be at the community hall for one month and open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.