Homeless In Seattle Get Help From City Waste Pumper

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As RV Wastewater Pilot Program coordinator for Seattle Public Utilities, Chris Wilkerson visits people living in motor homes and trailers and offers to pump out their waste for free.

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With the help of a contractor, Chris Wilkerson makes monthly visits to RVs and motor homes around the city that don’t have access to dumping stations.

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The waste-pumping program is carried out in coordination with volunteers from the local charity, St. Vincent de Paul, who bring along food and medical supplies.

Erin Slomski-Pritz/NPR

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Erin Slomski-Pritz/NPR

The waste-pumping program is carried out in coordination with volunteers from the local charity, St. Vincent de Paul, who bring along food and medical supplies.

Erin Slomski-Pritz/NPR

Last year, before the waste removal program was created, there were more than a 100 illegal spills from RVs, according to Wilkerson. He says that number has fallen by 75 percent so far this year. And the people in the RVs are grateful.

«It helps out immensely, that’s for sure, said Sean Eagle, who recently began living out of one. «Or else, I wouldn’t know what to do.