Free lead clean-up available in Joplin tornado zone - KOAM TV 7

Free lead clean-up available in Joplin tornado zone

There's lead in yards in Joplin after the tornado and residents can get it cleaned up for free.

Crews contracted by the city with EPA grant funds remove up to 18 inches of yards if contaminated with lead or cadmium.  They add clean soil, then seed and straw.

The city has done about 120 yards and believes many more are contaminated but inspectors need homeowners to request the testing.

Officials say it's an easy process and is free to residents.

"On average, right now, it's costing about a little over $10,000 per yard to do the lead remediation," says Leslie Heitkamp, lead inspector and remediation coordinator.  "Some are significantly higher, some significantly less expensive depending on how much of the yard is contaminated, how deep we have to go in the yard.  Some are only six inches deep, some like the yard behind us ended up being 18 inches deep."

Renters or homeowners in the tornado zone first need to call the Jasper County Health Department for a soil test.  Then city remediation staff are contacted.

For more information call Jasper County Health Department - 417-358-3111 or the City of Joplin lead inspector and remediation coordinator, Leslie Heitkamp, 417-624-0820 extension 544.

The city is also removing lead from Parr Hill Park.  That work is under a separate contract from residential cleanup efforts.