Growing trash pile at Thurston County property raises concerns

TUMWATER, Wash. – City officials say they have not been able to get much done on a growing trash pile at a foreclosed Tumwater home considered hazardous.

The Olympian reported Saturday that a property owner has asked City Council to take action after his children found hypodermic needles near the home. The resident also raised concerns of drinking water contamination since the trash is close to the nearest drinking well.

The Tumwater home known as the Franks property has been on the Department of Ecology’s Hazardous Sites List since 2013. They say they have ordered former owner Ken Franks to clean up the property and later fined him after he did nothing. The city is working with Thurston County health officials and the ecology department to see what they can do.