County Health Officer Proclaims Local Health Emergency for Hazardous Waste from Flooding

The Sonoma County Health Officer declared a local health emergency Tuesday due to the scale of household hazardous waste (HHW) scattered along the water ways, roadsides, and on public and private properties after flooding in the County from last week’s rain storms.

The health emergency was proclaimed by Interim County Health Officer Dr. Karen Holbrook to highlight the potential risks to health and safety of residents from HHW in the areas of the County that were flooded.

The flooding and storm damage impacted an estimated 2,572 homes and businesses along the Russian River and low lying areas. The damage to these sites generated a large amount of HHW that must be addressed.

HHW cannot be disposed of in normal garbage or waste facilities. This material requires disposal at an authorized facility that processes hazardous waste.

To facilitate proper disposal, the County is asking residents to place their HHW on their property near the road. Trained staff will be collecting HHW from properties starting Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

Also, a special HHW collection will take place on Saturday, March 9, 2019.

For the latest HHW removal information please go to https://socoemergency.org/debris-removal/.

The collections are specifically for HHW and not debris. HHW materials typically consist of, but are not limited to, the following materials:

• Adhesives
• Latex and oil-based paints
• Paint thinners and strippers
• Grease and rust solvents
• Wood and metal cleaners
• Nail polish and removers
• Cosmetics
• Household polishes and cleaners
• Oven cleaners
• Drain openers
• Lighter fluids
• Fungicides and wood preservatives
• Insecticides, herbicides, and rat poisons
• Used oil and oil filters
• Fuel injection and carburetor cleaners
• Antifreeze
• Batteries
• Broken thermometers
• Rat poison