Diapers and Bed Pan Materials Dumped at Athens Drinking Water Source

ATHENS, Tenn. - Somebody is using pristine land in Athens as their own personal dump. Adult diapers, used bed pads and medical waste can be found littered along Sweetfield Valley Road. Police say they're not sure who is dumping these unusual waste products but they believe it is the same person and it has been going on for almost 3 years.

Chuck Pope worked for years building a house for his family on Sweetfield Valley Road, a quiet area of Athens. He says he chose those 7 acres of land because of the scenery and safety of the neighborhood.

"Just shortly after building our house we had a washer dropped into our spring which I had to haul myself to the landfill and I think that's one person's trouble not a homeownerm" said Pope.

Pope says that was just the beginning of trouble in the area.

"We had an owl that would sit down there in a tree and shortly after we moved in that owl was shot."

Then neighbors started noticing medical equipment dumped in the creek. Public works believes it's someone taking care of a bed ridden person in the area. Crews got the word out and even posted no dumping signs. They say that stopped the illegal dumping about 6 months but just 2 weeks ago, it started again.

Public works says the creek has dangerously high levels of e-coli and that comes from the cows in the area and leaking septic tanks. But some of that is also coming from the person dumping diapers and bed pan materials which gets waste into the waterway.

"The water from here goes to the Oostanaula and then onto the Hiwasee river which is a drinking source for some communities," said Public Works Director Shawn Lindsey.

Athens Police say officers are patrolling the area at night and Lindsey has his crew out picking up after the dumper regularly.

"There are places set aside for dumping. We have a landfill here and there are appropriate ways to deal with that. So it definitely makes you feel violated," said Pope.

If you have any information you're asked to Call Athens Police :423-744-2720 or Public Works: 423-744-2745.