Benton Reconsiders Restrictions on Waste Haulers

Utility officials are concerned the city could be held liable for unapproved materials possibly being dumped into the system.

"There are some materials that are not Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality approved," said Utilities General Manager Terry McKinney. "In that case, the city would be held liable for that, not the haulers. That puts us at risk. There are very few cities that even allow that kind of dumping. I think only Jacksonville and Little Rock."

Waste haulers operating in Saline County, however, are concerned that the restrictions would create new costs for customers, with increased travel costs to dump sites that haulers would have to pass along. That, in turn, could lead people to wait longer to get their septic tanks cleaned or do so less frequently than is recommended.

Haulers say that could lead to discharge overflowing from septic systems into fresh water resources.

The ordinance was left on its first reading, and those attending the meeting say the council intends to discuss it again at its next meeting.