“Garbage juice” from trucks staining city street, woman says - KMBC Kansas City

“Garbage juice” from trucks staining city street, woman says

Denise Williams has tried to work with city on solution but problem remains

A Kansas City woman says there is a serious concern with liquid waste coming from garbage trucks when they pick up trash in her neighborhood near 79th and Olive.

Denise Williams has made several attempts to contact the city for help, but the problem remains, she says.

Williams says “garbage juice” will stay on her street for weeks at a time.

“It started going on last year,” she said. “And it continues to happen.”

Williams said she had contacted 311 and worked with the Kansas City, Missouri Public Works Department to solve the issues.

She can remember a street sweeper coming out a couple of weeks ago but hasn’t seen much resolution otherwise.

She contacted KMBC 9 Investigates for help.

“I just hope you can bring awareness to it, and maybe the city will step up,” she said.

A city spokeswoman released a statement regarding the situation:

"Of the 311 calls reported on the issue, our records indicate KC Water and Public Works responded to the complaints by washing the street where the fluids had leaked. All Solid Waste trucks are equipped with a plug in the hopper to capture liquids. All trucks are routinely inspected to ensure the plugs are intact. Public Works is currently working to find a solution to the issue of fluids leaking, especially on a rainy day when the hopper and trash bags collected may contain additional liquid."

KMBC 9 Investigates will continue to follow the situation and make sure there is a permanent solution.

If this happens in your neighborhood, we want to know — email investigates@kmbc.com.