Landfill still awaiting word on whether it can accept waste again

DEXTER, Mo. -- A landfill in Stoddard County that serves Cape Girardeau and Jackson is still awaiting word on whether it can begin to accept waste again.

Lemons Landfill in Dexter has been unable to accept waste since late February after the Missouri Department of Natural Resources expressed concerns about the stability of a new "cell." A cell is a lined pit in which landfill waste is buried.

DNR had concerns about the cell's liner and ordered a series of tests to determine its stability.

The results were expected in just a few weeks, but DNR officials said Monday they wouldn't know for a week or two whether the cell could be used.

The latest data under review by the department is a seismic evaluation.

"Because we just started reviewing it, it's hard to say how long it will take," said Jim Bell, chief of engineering for DNR's solid waste program.

Until the cell can be opened, the landfill is hauling its trash to Poplar Bluff, Mo.

"They would like this cell opened as quickly as possible, and we'd like to get it opened quickly," he said.