Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
ANOKA COUNTY
OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP

Congressional District # 06

OAK GROVE SANITARY LANDFILL

EPA ID# MND980904056
Last Updated: September, 2006

Site Description

The 104-acre Oak Grove Sanitary Landfill site was operated as an open dump until 1971, when the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued a permit to the owner for a sanitary landfill. In 1976, operations were taken over by Northwest Disposal Inc. until closure in 1984. Approximately one-half million cubic yards of wastes, including garbage, various sludges and acids, pesticide manufacturing waste, paint, cutting oils, cleaning solvents, and inks were disposed of at the landfill. The Minnesota Department of Health sampled nine nearby residential wells in 1984. The wells are screened in a sand aquifer, which is the primary water supply source in the area. Samples from three wells indicated the presence of several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and metals. Subsequent resampling did not detect these compounds. In 1985, lime sludge was used as a cover for part of the landfill. Approximately 330 people live within one mile of the site, and 9,800 people live within four miles. The majority of these residents depend on water from wells. However, the lower aquifer is used for residential drinking water and does not pose a risk to human health. A creek flows through the site and is adjacent to a wetland, discharging to the Rum River two miles from the site. 

Site Responsibility

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

Threats and Contaminants

Methane and VOCs were detected beneath the lime sludge cover material. VOCs, phenols, phthalates, and heavy metals were detected in the upper aquifer. Leachate samples indicated the presence of VOCs, phenols, and heavy metals. Several VOCs, phenols, and heavy metals were found in sediment samples and surface water at the site. 

Cleanup Progress

In 1988, MPCA and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) selected the following cleanup actions for the site: installation of a security fence; capping with a multilayer cover system; installation of a topsoil cover and vegetation; enforcement of deed restrictions; consideration of treatment options for air emissions from gas vents after construction of the final cover; and air and groundwater monitoring. U.S. EPA issued a unilateral administrative order (UAO) in early 1992, requiring the potentially responsible parties (PRPs) to design and implement the cleanup remedies.

Cleanup activities began in spring 1992 and were completed in fall 1993. In late 1990, U.S. EPA selected a remedy which includes long-term monitoring of the shallow and deep aquifers, surface waters, and sediments. In addition, institutional controls on the installation of drinking water wells around the landfill will be implemented and nonessential water wells will be properly plugged and abandoned. U.S. EPA issued a UAO in early 1992, requiring the PRPs to install a long-term monitoring system, which was completed in 1993. U.S. EPA sent special notice letters to the PRPs in March 1991 to conduct cleanup activities. The design and implementation of the source control remedies were accomplished under a federally-issued UAO, issued in 1992. Construction at the site has been completed. A five-year review of the effectiveness of the remedies was completed in July 1997. The site was deleted from the National Priorities List on October 17, 1997.  A second five-year review was signed for this site on September 30, 2002. The remedy remains protective of human health and the environment.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
thomas williams (williams.thomas@epa.gov)
(312) 886-6157

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

Aliases

OAK GROVE SANITARY LDFL

 

Site Profile Information

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