For more information, contact: Barbara Mallon, Office of Employee Services,

515-239-1594

ROADSIDE HUMAN WASTE DISPOSAL CREATING UNSANITARY CONDITIONS

AMES, IOWA - The Iowa Department of Transportation is appealing to motorists traveling on Iowa's roadways to use the state's rest areas, truck stops or other public restroom facilities to safely and sanitarily dispose of liquid and solid human waste.

Only sanitary sewer disposal receptacles such as toilets and dumping stations, provided specifically for disposal of human waste, should be used. Trash receptacles and roadways should not be used for disposal of human waste material.

Recently, highway maintenance workers have noticed an increased number of glass and plastic beverage containers, plastic bags, jugs and other items containing human waste in ditches, medians, entrance and exit ramps, shoulders, fence lines, parking lots, picnic grounds, undeveloped rest areas and scenic overlooks.

The practice of throwing or dumping bottles, cans or bags containing human waste along Iowa's interstates and primary highways creates an unpleasant, unattractive and unsanitary environment. These products can also result in the injury, destruction or loss of Iowa's natural resources.

The DOT would like to remind motorists that this practice is not just undesirable, it's against the law. Under Iowa's litter law, no person shall discard any litter onto or in any water or land of this state. Upon conviction, any person violating this law will be guilty of a simple misdemeanor and is subject to a fine.

For the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public, the DOT strongly discourages persons from attempting to clean up, collect, dispose of, or handle suspicious-looking containers which may contain waste left by others.