VIENNA, Ill. - Folks in one local city said they got a guest they weren't expecting, sludge from an old lagoon, plopped right in their backyard. Vienna's city engineer calls it a mistake officials are working to fix, but neighbors fear the dried dirt is dangerous and filled with fecal matter.

The nearly three acre field sits right off Illinois 146 and backs up to homes on Circle Drive. The Illinois EPA is involved, and both neighbors and officials are waiting on soil sample results.

Margaret Cole used to sit on her porch all the time.

"I couldn't believe that anyone would allow that to happen," she said.

That is, until a couple of weeks ago, when she saw lots of action.

"I stood here in my backyard and watched them. They were spinning their wheels, turning in it, trying to get out of the area it was that deep," said Cole.

Contractors spread a layer of sludge from a wastewater lagoon in a field by mistake. The sludge had to be moved because they are in the process of building a new lagoon.

Brian Ziegler is the city's engineer.

"The sludge was brought over, and then worked into the top twelve inches of the soil," he said.

Ziegler said crews came back and removed the top layer. But neighbors like Cole aren't satisfied.

"When there's activity at these ballparks, this is all full of visitors and kids," she said.

Cole believes the community's health is at stake.

Swings and the ballfield sit just feet away from the dried dirt. Kids were out practicing ball Thursday afternoon.

"We want to continue on and try to work with the residents and make them feel comfortable," said Ziegler.

Seeing all the soil gone is the only thing that will put Margaret Cole at ease.

"Wherever a disc goes, get it below that disc level and haul it out. That will make me happy," she said.

The next step depends on the results of soil samples the Illinois EPA took at the site a few days ago.

The Vienna City Council will hold a special called meeting Friday afternoon at 4 where officials hope to present those results.