Columbia officials say they’ll continue to work with the state to address concerns about trash and human waste from homeless camps in the city.
The city says it will work with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to ensure that local streams and waterways continue to stay as clean as possible. Missouri DNR says it has received about 30 water quality concerns regarding Columbia homeless encampments since 2022. DNR has written a letter to city officials, saying trash and human waste from the homeless camps can significantly contribute to pollution and water quality issues.
Columbia spokeswoman Sydney Olsen tells 939 the Eagle that the city has procedures in place involving illegal camping.
“We have improved the reporting process with the SeeClickFix system, making it easier for concerned citizens to report illegal camping. We will continue to work with DNR during the permitting process while also ensuring local streams and waterways continue to stay as clean as possible,” Olsen says, in a statement.
