Mississippi Dept. of Environmental Quality assisted Eagle Lake residents in cleanup

Folks at Eagle Lake took the opportunity yesterday to get rid of some of the hazardous materials that accumulated during the historic 2019 Backwater Flood.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality joined with the community to gather all kinds of toxic and potentially toxic items.

“We got LED acid batteries that will be sent to an LED acid battery recycler. We’ve got oils that will be poured off an going to an oil recycler. Paints, pesticides, other solvents are all collected and sent for proper disposal,” Dennis Kelly with DEQ told WJTV.

Kelly stressed the importance of ensuring hazardous materials aren’t just dumped in landfills. Nonetheless, the residents affected by the floods were left with massive amounts of debris.

“Eagle Lake had a very bad situation,” Kelly said. “In this area alone the water was over 6 feet deep, well over my head. So the residents need any help they can to get rid of all the old materials . … We are trying to help as best we can. That’s why we are here.”

If you have potentially hazardous materials to dispose of, call MDEQ at 601-961-5171.