Debris Issues from Storms or Floods

              Fact Sheet
Debris Issues from Storms or Floods
Dealing with Flood Debris
and Water Concerns
Even after floodwaters recede and the storms have passed debris remains that can cause serious pollution problems and potentially result in ill health effects. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) has developed this fact sheet to outline what you can do to ensure that the waste and debris are disposed of in a safe and environmentally sound manner. Please follow these guidelines to dispose of the debris.
Any questions about which materials can be landfilled, burned or recycled will be answered promptly by calling:
Landfill waste material – 217-524-3300
Open burning waste – 217-782-2113
Immediate emergency – 800-782-7860
Outdoor chemical contamination – 217-782-3637.
Recycling Flood Waste
Household appliances, also known as “white goods,” can be recycled by taking them to a local scrap dealer, who will remove potentially harmful components. For information on scrap dealers in your area check the yellow pages or call a local appliance retailer.
Tires must be disposed at a registered commercial processing facility. Units of local government may accumulate used and waste tires recovered via flood cleanup. It is important to drain all used tires collected from the flood of standing water and to store them in a manner that prevents the further accumulation of water. Contact the Illinois EPA at 217/785-8604 for further information and possible assistance.
In addition, we encourage other recyclable materials to be separated and recycled such as glass, metal debris and plastics.
Flood Water Sand
Re-use and Disposal
Flood water sand may be contaminated with human and animal waste, oil and gasoline residue, and farm chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.
 Sand or sandbags that did not contact floodwater can be reused without restrictions;
 Sand or sandbags that contacted floodwater should not be reused in ways that would involve direct human contact, such as in children’s play areas or in residential gardening;
 Sand or sandbags that are visually contaminated, with oil or fecal matter, for example, should be disposed as waste at a landfill.
Visual inspection of the sand as well as local emergency responder knowledge can be used to assist in determining if sand has come into
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Community Relations
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276
www.epa.state.il.us
Phone: (217) 782-2829
Fax: (217) 785-7725
TDD: (217) 782-9143
March 2012
State of Illinois
Pat Quinn, Governor
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
John Kim, Interim Director