Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
DAKOTA COUNTY
BURNSVILLE

Congressional District # 02

FREEWAY SANITARY LANDFILL

EPA ID# MND038384004
Last Updated: February, 2007

Site Description

The Freeway Sanitary Landfill site covers 126 acres in Burnsville, Minnesota. Since 1971, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MCPA) licensed the landfill to accept 1,962-acre feet of household, commercial, demolition, and nonhazardous industrial wastes. The state permit prohibited the disposal of liquids and hazardous wastes; however, heavy metals, acids, and bases were accepted by the landfill from local industries. The landfill also accepted 200 cubic yards of battery casings and 448 tons of aluminum sweat furnace slag. In 1984, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals were detected in the groundwater. The owner has installed a two-foot cover of soil over the landfill. Burnsville municipal wells are located about 4,000 feet to the south of the landfill. These wells serve approximately 36,000 people. Two quarries are located nearby. Surface water runoff drains from the site into the Minnesota River about 400 feet from the landfill. 

Site Responsibility

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

Threats and Contaminants

Groundwater contains VOCs such as benzene, ethyl benzene, xylene, and heavy metals, including arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, and manganese. Exposure to contaminated groundwater is possible if the pollutants migrate to the Burnsville municipal well field. Water beneath the landfill discharges into the Minnesota River. Wildlife in and around the river may be harmed by the contaminants. 

Cleanup Progress

The site is being addressed through a long-term cleanup. In 1986, U.S. EPA began an investigation into the nature and extent of contamination at the site. In 1989, the state took the lead. Groundwater contamination is being captured by a quarry sump, located on the adjacent Kramer property. These treatment basins pump water into the Minnesota River, stripping it of contaminants. As a result of this process, the contaminant level of the water has been reduced to meet health-based standards. This site is a qualified facility, eligible to be part of the Minnesota Landfill Cleanup Program (LCP). However, the owners/operators have not signed a binding agreement, and until they do, the site is not in the LCP. As soon as U.S. EPA receives a notice of compliance from MPCA, the process to delist the site from the National Priorities List (NPL) will be initiated.   

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
sirtaj ahmed (ahmed.sirtaj@epa.gov)
(312) 886-4445

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
Don De Blasio
(312) 886-9749

Aliases

FREEWAY SANITARY LDFL

 

Site Profile Information

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