Workers today began clearing away a huge mound of toxic dirt dumped beside the athletic fields at Southwest High School in Nestor.
The 10,000-ton dirt pile has tested positive for lead and pesticides, according to 10News. Sweetwater Union High School District officials said soil
samples show a low level of toxicity, but there has been no comment on how it got there in the spring semester last year.
"It was coming in truckload after truckload and there was no real name to the company on the truck,'' a witness told the television station. He said he spoke to the principal, who told him the dirt was "donated.''
Around 30 trucks daily will haul the dirt to a landfill in Azusa in Los Angeles County, according to the school district. Workers are watering the soil regularly to prevent dust, and the truck beds will be covered.
School officials hope to have the nearly $500,000 job completed by July 25, when the new school year begins.
