(May 1, 2008)

CALALLEN--Just two months after it started, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or TCEQ said the cleanup of the Ballard Pits in Calallen has come to a halt because the hazardous contamination is worse than first thought and will take more money than is currently available.

The state had more than $3 million dollars for the cleanup of old toxic waste left behind two pits at the dumpsite, but it wasn't enough. After cleaning up parts of one site, TCEQ officials said they underestimated how deep it was and they found unsafe levels of two cancer causing agents, Benzene and Chromium, in the 15-foot deep pit.

Residents, who live in the Nimrod Circle and Rock Island neighborhood directly behind the Ballard Pits, said they're now concerned what's inside the hazardous waste dumpsite. 

"Yeah it scares you to death," Bob Carter, who has lived next to the Ballard Pits for nearly 40 years. "This is the second time we've been through this. We know what it can do. It's not what can happen. We know what can happen."

TCEQ said for now they plan to put a berm over the one dump site they are cleaning up. They plan to resume the cleanup of the hazardous waste dumpsite in September when more funding becomes available.

Residents said they worry about this delay because of flooding or a possible hurricane. They contend the cancer-causing toxins could get into the ground water or well water system in the area.

TCEQ officials said the residents shouldn't worry about that. They said last year during the summer floods, there was no evidence of the toxins leaving the pit area and getting into water system. They sample water on a regular basis and haven't found Benzene or Chromium at unsafe levels in the water system.

Residents trust TCEQ, but they said in the past back in 2002 Floods, some of those toxins got into the water system. So they just hope the state agency isn't lying to them.

Area leaders have been talking to state leaders about the funding shortage of the cleanup of the Ballard Pits Cleanup. They're asking the state to find the money from another budget so they can finish the job sooner instead of later.

"Absolutely, (we are) working hard along with Rep. Abel Herrero to get the type of funding that is necessary to complete the project," said Nueces County Commissioner Peggy Banales.

State Representative Abel Herrero (D-Robstown) told us in a phone interview he's also disappointed in the money shortage for the cleanup and doesn't understand why the state underestimated how big the job was for this project.  He's also worried about the potential of the toxins getting into the water system.

"The residents are my priority and I am worried about their health," said Rep. Herrero. "I have asked TCEQ to sample the pits and areas around it to make sure the toxins won't become an issue for those residents. I want to make sure they're protected and if need be, it's a top priority to get the Ballard Pits cleaned up as soon as possible to ensure they don't get ill."

TCEQ will be hosting a community meeting on Tuesday, May 6, at the Calderon Buiding in Robstown at 7 p.m. to update residents on the latest issues involving the cleanup of the Ballard Pits.

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com