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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Littering seems to be a major problem in one part of Ottumwa.

A KTVO viewer called-in on Wednesday, complaining about the amount of plastic bags and other items being tossed on the side of U.S. 34, right across from Wal-Mart.

Being that this is one of the main entrances to Ottumwa, seeing litter along the side of the roadway is not a good thing, being that it does not give a warm welcome.

KTVO spoke with Jody Gates, who is the Director of Health, Inspection and Solid Waste with the city. She told KTVO that problems like this do not give a good image to Ottumwa, and that the community should take pride in their town.

“The city really doesn’t have the employees or staff that can go out and clean up trash and litter along the roadside. So, we depend upon volunteers to adopt areas, and I guess I would appeal to anyone listening to this, that if they there is somebody who would be interested in adopting that area, we have purple bags available all year long, and we have staff that can pick up the filled trash bags,” Gates said.

Those bags can be picked up at the Health Department offices inside of Ottumwa City Hall. To get in contact with the Health Department, click here.