Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
ANOKA COUNTY
ANDOVER

Congressional District # 06

WASTE DISPOSAL ENGINEERING

EPA ID# MND980609119
Last Updated: August, 2006

Site Description

The 144-acre Waste Disposal Engineering site operated as a dump and landfill for approximately 20 years, closing in early 1983. Hazardous wastes were disposed of throughout the landfill during site operation. From 1972 until 1974, paint sludges, solvents, oils, caustics, and acids were disposed of in an asphalt-lined pit on the site. Poor operating practices and spills contributed to the site contamination. In 1982, lime sludge, generated by the Minneapolis Drinking Water Treatment Plant, was deposited at the site. The landfill covers 73 acres of refuse area and contains approximately 2,500,000 cubic yards of waste. Area residents rely on groundwater for their drinking water source. The area surrounding the site is residential, agricultural, and commercial. The site is bordered by Coon Creek. 

Site Responsibility

The site is being addressed through federal and potentially responsible parties' actions

Threats and Contaminants

Groundwater directly under the site is contaminated primarily with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Groundwater, soil gas, and Coon Creek contain VOCs from wastes, deposited in the landfill. Individuals may be exposed to contaminants through accidental ingestion of, inhalation of, or direct contact with groundwater, soil gas, or surface water. 

Cleanup Progress

In 1987, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency selected a remedy that required: pumping and treating the groundwater using carbon absorption and discharging the treated water to Coon Creek; installing a soil cap to completely cover the landfill; installing a clay groundwater cut-off wall; implementing restrictions on groundwater use; filling in a wetland and constructing an alternate wetland to replace the lost habitat; and monitoring of the site.  Construction of the final site remedy was completed in 1995.  Operation of the groundwater pump and treat system will continue until established cleanup levels are met.

Construction of all site remedies is complete. Capping the landfill, installing a groundwater cutoff wall, replacing lost wetlands, and establishing a new habitat have reduced threats at the Waste Disposal Engineering site.  Groundwater collection and treatment continues. The site was deleted from the National Priorities List on June 30, 1996, and five-year reviews were completed in March 1999 and April 2003. The remedy remains protective of human health and the environment.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
john fagiolo (fagiolo.john@epa.gov)
(312) 886-0800

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
stuart hill
(312) 886-0689

Aliases

WASTE DSPL ENGINEERING INC

 

Site Profile Information

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