SAN ANTONIO – Illegal dumping has become a persistent problem for homeowners in a rural area of San Antonio’s far South Side, where residents say old furniture, construction materials and large bags of trash are routinely left along neighborhood roads.
David Trevino and Molly Buckelew own homes about a mile and a half apart in District 3. They say they have dealt with illegal dumping for years.
“We’ve been fighting this trash for decades,” Buckelew said.
Trevino said the discarded items include bedding, cabinets, furniture, broken mirrors and construction materials.
“I know it’s probably the same contractors coming out here dumping,” Trevino said.
The homeowners also say the area faces other problems, including animal dumping and gunfire. Trevino said people sometimes test-fire guns and sell them before vehicles disappear from the area.
He also said human bodies have been dumped nearby in the past.
Parts of the area near Mauermann Rd and South Zarzamora Street began receiving city utility and planning designations under the City South Community Plan in 2003. The area was fully incorporated into San Antonio in December 2007.
“We pay our taxes just like everybody else, and nobody’s taking care of us out here,” Buckelew said. “The city wanted to take it in, but they’re not taking care of us.”
Both residents said they have reported the dumping to 311. Buckelew said the reports have not led to meaningful action.
Trevino said he has tried to work with the City Council and suggested installing cameras in areas where dumping occurs.
“I’m not for the surveillance state, but sometimes you just need it,” Trevino said.
Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran’s office declined an interview but provided a statement about the illegal dumping.
“The District 3 Office continues to work diligently to address these issues, and we encourage our residents to be active partners in our community,” Viagran’s statement said. “If you see something, say something, and report concerns to 311.”
For residents like Trevino and Buckelew, the repeated dumping remains a daily reminder of what they say is a lack of city services in their neighborhood.
“It’s just so frustrating,” Buckelew said.
Read also:
Copyright 2026 by KSAT – All rights reserved.