Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
KENT COUNTY
SPARTA TOWNSHIP

Congressional District # 02

SPARTA LANDFILL

EPA ID# MID000268136
Last Updated: April, 2008

Site Description

The 26-acre Sparta Landfill site, located in Kent County, Michigan, is a closed municipal landfill located approximately one mile southeast of the village of Sparta and one-fifth mile east of the Rogue River. About 12 acres of the site operated as an open dump (Schwab Dump) from the 1940s until 1972. During this time, general, residential, commercial, and solid wastes were accepted. In 1972, Kent County began operation of the Sparta Landfill on property adjacent to the Schwab Dump and acquired the Schwab Dump property in 1973. The licensed landfill accepted municipal refuse and industrial wastes under Michigan Public Act 87. In 1977, the landfill was closed and a two-foot sand cover was placed over the site. In 1979, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) detected volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene, chlorobenzene, chlorethane, 1,1-dichlorethane, trans-1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-di-chloropropane, ethylbenzene, methylene chloride, toluene, xylene, and trichloroethylene (TCE) in onsite monitoring wells. Organic solvents were also detected in nearby residential wells. Kent County replaced four residential wells. 

Approximately 200 residences are located within a one-half mile radius from the site. Approximately 15 residences are located directly adjacent to the site.  The city of Rockford's municipal supply intakes are located on the Rogue River, approximately eleven miles downstream from the site. The public water supply wells for the village of Sparta are located near a tributary of the Rogue River, approximately two miles upstream from the site.

Site Responsibility

This site is being addressed through federal, state, and potentially responsible parties' (PRPs) actions.

Threats and Contaminants

Groundwater is contaminated with VOCs and inorganic compounds. Potential health threats to people include ingesting or coming into direct contact with contaminated water and breathing contaminated water vapors related to household uses. 

Cleanup Progress

Under state authorities, Kent County designed and installed a multi-layer landfill cap, complete with a passive landfill gas vent system in 1996. Under an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), signed in September 1993, the potentially responsible party (PRP), Kent County Department of Public Works, agreed to conduct a Remedial Investigation (RI) to define the contaminants and to recommend alternatives for final cleanup. This investigation began after completion of the landfill cap. A Feasibility Study (FS) was also conducted by the PRP.  Both the RI and FS were approved by U.S. EPA in September 2000. 

The immediate, potential exposure to contaminated drinking water from the Sparta Landfill site was eliminated with the installation of several new residential wells. The site has also been capped and fenced. These actions will continue to protect residents near this site.  The proposed plan for the final remedy was issued on August 1, 2000.  A public meeting was held on August 15, 2000, to discuss the proposed plan.  The Record of Decision for the final remedy was signed on September 27, 2000.  The final remedy is no further action with long-term groundwater monitoring.  Under an AOC with U.S. EPA, signed on September 26, 2002, the PRP agreed to implement a long-term groundwater monitoring plan, and is monitoring on a quarterly basis.

The work plan for long-term groundwater monitoring was submitted by the PRP on November 2002.  The first five-year review was completed in September 2007, and concluded that the remedy remains protective of human health and the environment.  The PRP is currently implementing the recommendations from the first five-year review.  The next five-year review is due in September 2012.   

 

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
scott hansen (hansen.scott@epa.gov)
(312) 886-1999

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
dave novak
(312) 886-7478

Aliases

SPARTA LDFL

 

Site Profile Information

This profile provides you with information on EPA's cleanup progress at this Superfund site.