Nearly 80 truckloads of treated pecan shells dumped at Greater El Paso Landfill

SOCORRO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — On Monday, El Paso Water began to transport the pecan shells on their property to the Greater El Paso Landfill also referred to as the Clint Landfill.

The pecan shells are believed to be the food source for the Red Flour Beetle Infestation residents in Socorro have dealt with since August.

A spokesperson with El Paso Water told KFOX14/CBS4 that the utility obtained a permit with the landfill to dispose of the shells.

Nick Ybarra, the Environmental Services Director for the City of El Paso stated, that before the permit was granted, the utility had to treat the shells.

The City of El Paso oversees the landfill and according to Ybarra, anyone disposing of waste at the landfill needs a permit.

Ybarra said the water utility provided proof the shells had been treated with the appropriate pesticide before transportation.

A spokesperson with El Paso Water told KFOX14/CBS4, “Crews treated the property with pesticide for about two weeks while tilling the dirt to ensure effectiveness.”

According to officials with the landfill, they have received about 80 truckloads of shells being disposed of and still expect more.

Ybarra stated once the trucks enter the landfill, they are directed toward the dumping area, where workers work nonstop to spread waste across the land.

The area where trash is dumped is covered with either soil or a coat of paper mache material approved by the State of Texas.

Peter Ellsworth, a professor at the University of Arizona and Specialist confirmed that spraying the shells and burying them is the proper way to dispose of them and stop the infestation.

Ybarra said this is not the first time the landfill has dealt with a challenging waste disposal but the strict state protocols prevent other infestations or contaminations from spreading.

Meantime, some Socorro residents said they have seen fewer beetles.

El Paso County Commissioner Iliana Holguin stated the county will continue to monitor the situation and that at this time there are no plans to distribute additional pesticides to residents.

Holguin confirmed that the county distributed 1,000 gallons of pesticide to residents, twice the amount of affected homes identified by the city of Socorro.

Our Crews Identified the pesticide delivered to residents as “Ortho Home Defense,” officials had previously stated the county distributed pesticide recommended by the Texas A&M AgriLife Department.

RELATED:EP Water begins removal of pecan shells to battle beetle infestation in Socorro

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