Limestone County officials want to remind cement companies that rights-of-way and drainage ditches are not the appropriate places to dump leftover materials.

District 2 Commissioner Gerald Barksdale said he’s had complaints about cement truck drivers pouring their remaining loads in a drainage ditch on Pine Drive and on the right-of-way on Dupree Worthey Road near Capshaw.

In the case of Pine Drive, he said, a resident caught the truck driver in the act. Barksdale said the woman told the driver he was breaking the law, but the woman told Barksdale the driver “didn’t pay her any mind.”

He said the illegal cement disposal was a larger problem a few years ago when there was more construction in the East Limestone area, but letters were sent to concrete and cement companies informing them to stop the practice of illegal dumping.

Barksdale said since that time, two other companies have formed in Limestone County and may not be aware of the restrictions. County Engineer Richard Sanders said during a commission work session Wednesday he would likely send out new letters to all the companies as a reminder.

“It could create problems with mowing the rights-of-way if those mowing machines hit (the cement),” Barksdale said. “It could damage the machinery or hurt the operator when that stuff goes flying.”

He said leftover cement poured in a ditch could create drainage problems, as was the case on Pine Drive. On Dupree Worthey Road, a chunk of cement 3 feet in diameter and more than a foot high was found between the drainage ditch and the road, which could have created a hazard if a driver’s vehicle left the road.

Removing the leftover materials can also be a challenge. If the piece is on a flat surface, Barksdale said, crews can remove it using the bucket of a backhoe. If the cement is at the bottom of a ditch, he said, “It takes more of an effort.”

Drivers who dump cement in a ditch or on a right-of-way are littering, and could be fined for the offense. Barksdale urged anyone who sees a truck driver emptying cement in an illegal location to contact litter enforcement officer Mike Hunter at the Limestone County Sheriff’s Department.

He said callers should also take note of the tag number on the truck and the name of the company that owns the truck.