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EPA DETERMINES ADDITIONAL GROUNDWATER CLEANUP NOT NECESSARY FOR CENTRAL LANDFILL SUPERFUND SITE

Release Date: 08/13/2001
Contact Information: Alice Kaufman, Community Affairs Office, 617-917-1064

Boston - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that surface water, groundwater and wetlands near the Central Landfill Superfund Site in Johnston, Rhode Island meet state and federal standards for the landfill contaminants.

A six-year study overseen by EPA made two significant findings: the contaminated groundwater beneath the landfill is not flowing in the direction of the Scituate Reservoir - the public water supply for much of Rhode Island, and no further groundwater cleanup is needed beyond the edge the landfill.

EPA directed a groundwater, surface water and sediment study that included sampling more than 50 groundwater locations and more than 100 surface and sediment locations in and around the landfill. The results of this study showed landfill contaminant levels below state or federal standards. EPA concluded that it is not necessary to do additional groundwater cleanup based on the study results and the cleanup activities at the landfill.

A water-resistant cap now under construction will cover the landfill to minimize the amount of rainwater filtering through the landfill. Rainwater, as it passes through the landfill, picks up hazardous contaminants from buried wastes then mixes with groundwater. In addition, a groundwater treatment system is being designed to treat contaminated groundwater in a half-acre "hot spot" beneath the landfill. EPA also required the landfill operators to prohibit groundwater use in the vicinity if the landfill and to initiate a long-term monitoring and sampling program to ensure no groundwater contamination from the Superfund site occurs in the future.

"The sampling data has convinced us we do not need to move ahead with any additional groundwater cleanup," said Robert V. Varney, EPA New England regional administrator. "The best news here is that the main water supply serving Rhode Island is not in the path of groundwater flowing from the landfill. We will continue to aggressively monitor the groundwater to make sure that it is not threatening any of the state's drinking water supplies."

The 154-acre Central Landfill includes a 33-acre active municipal solid waste landfill and the121-acre inactive municipal landfill. In 1986, EPA placed the site on the Superfund List, making it eligible for federal funding for a cleanup. EPA identified solvents, acid, oils and latex wastes that were dumped in a half-acre portion of the landfill that is currently being cleaned up by Rhode Island Resource and Recovery Corporation under EPA supervision.

EPA will hold a public meeting at the Johnston High School today to discuss its preferred cleanup plan. The agency will also hold a formal public hearing 7 pm Aug. 30 at the Johnston High School to receive citizen comments. Written comments may be sent to Byron Mah, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency New England, HBT, One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114-2023. Submissions must be postmarked by Sept. 14, 2001.