This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Like goopy clockwork, every Thursday the "Phantom Dumper" is illegally pouring hard-to-process paper-like waste into Orem's sewer system — and Mayor Richard "Dick" Brunst has had enough.
In a YouTube appeal to the Utah County city's 92,000 residents, Brunst offered a $2,500 reward for information that will help him and his clog-weary Orem Water Treatment Plant staff flush the culprit out, and bring them to justice.
The weekly disposals of the non-toxic, fibrous material have been going on for several months, stopping up the system.
Brunst said the firm or person responsible is committing a class B misdemeanor, a crime punishable by fines of $1,000 per incident.
"This is creating a lot of problems for our sewer plant. They are spending many thousands of dollars and [it takes] 24 to 48 hours of time, by hand, pulling this refuse out of the sewer system," the mayor says in the video entitled, "Stop the Phantom Dumper — Earn $2,500."
Anyone with information on this matter can provide anonymous tips by visiting this website at http://www.orem.org/phantom.
Twitter: @remims