‘We shouldn’t have to suffer like this’: St. Louis resident complains of foul-smelling liquid leaking from city trash trucks
North Pointe neighborhood resident says mystery liquid has been dripping on streets for six weeks
Update: The City of St. Louis says it has fixed the truck and residents say the street has been cleaned
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A north St. Louis resident says a foul-smelling liquid has been leaking from city trash trucks onto her neighborhood streets for the last six weeks.
Judy Parker has lived in the North Pointe neighborhood for more than 50 years. She says the problem started six weeks ago when city trash trucks began leaving stains and a bad smell on her street.
“It is a very foul smell. It smells like garbage, or you are in a waste pit, or someone is dead, a dead cat or something like that,” Parker said.
Parker says the mystery liquid drips from city trash trucks during curbside trash collection. She walked block by block, pointing out stains she says appear only after trash and recycling days.
“I’m retired. So, in the morning time, I like to sit out on my porch and drink my coffee and read my book for maybe an hour or two,” Parker said.
She shared photos and videos she and her family have taken each week after the trucks come by.
“That’s the problem. It’s like all over my neighborhood, and it looks bad,” Parker said.
Parker contacted the Citizens Service Bureau, the mayor’s office, and her neighborhood stabilization officer multiple times seeking answers.
“I’ve been counting, saying this is my third time contacting you. This is my fourth. So, I wrote them last week, and I’m like this is my fifth time writing you about this same problem,” Parker said.
A mysterious liquid was seen dripping from a city refuse truck during collection.
“I would just really like for whoever can do something about the problem to do something about the problem,” Parker said.
After questions were raised by First Alert 4, the city said the refuse trucks will be inspected as soon as Wednesday evening. If the seals on the truck are determined to be faulty, they will be replaced.
The city says it is also investigating whether improperly discarded liquid waste could be contributing to the problem. The Streets Department says the trucks on Parker’s street are mostly residential.
“We shouldn’t have to suffer like this,” Parker said.
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