Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
FOND DU LAC COUNTY
FOND DU LAC COUNTY

Congressional District # 06

RIPON CITY LANDFILL

EPA ID# WID980610190
Last Updated: October, 2006

Site Description

The Ripon City Landfill site is located on approximately 7.3 acres of land, outside the northwestern city limits of Ripon. The site is located in a rural area, surrounded by woods, a gravel pit, a park, and cropland. Several private homes are located within one-half mile of the site. The site was owned by a private party who leased the land to the Speed Queen Corporation for the purpose of landfilling. The city of Ripon and the town of Ripon later operated the landfill. Early in 1968, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) discovered that liquid wastes and containers had been disposed of in the landfill since 1967. In 1973, after reviewing these wastes, WDNR determined that they were hazardous and should not be disposed of at the site; however, disposal continued until 1979. In 1981, WDNR requested that the city develop a closure plan for the landfill and replace monitoring wells destroyed by site operations.

WDNR also requested that the city conduct quarterly groundwater sampling as required by state regulations. The facility was officially closed in February 1983. In 1984, a residential well, located 500 feet south of the site, was found to be contaminated with substances from the landfill. In 1992, a group of potentially responsible parties (PRPs) signed a contract with WDNR to complete a full remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS) and implement a source control remedy.

The city of Ripon has a population of about 6,800 people, all living within four miles of the site. Residents of Ripon obtain their drinking water solely from groundwater. One of the city's municipal wells is 3,700 feet southeast of the landfill. A municipal well for the city of Green Lake serves 500 people and is also located within four miles of the site. Approximately 2,100 people receive drinking water from private wells within four miles of the site. 

Site Responsibility

The site is being addressed through federal, state, and potentially responsible party (PRP) actions. 

Threats and Contaminants

Investigations determined that groundwater beneath the site is contaminated with various volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including vinyl chloride, tetrachloroethene, trichloroethene, cis-1,2-dichloroethene, and benzene. 

Cleanup Progress

A group of PRPs completed the investigation and a study of cleanup options during 1993 and 1994. A Record of Decision (ROD) for the site was signed in March 1996, selecting a new landfill cap, a passive gas venting system, and groundwater monitoring as the remedy for the source control operable unit. The no action alternative was selected as the remedy for the groundwater operable unit since it was believed that groundwater contamination that had migrated from the landfill was not severe enough to warrant active groundwater remedial measures to restore groundwater quality. The PRP group completed construction of the remedy late in 1996. A Preliminary Close Out Report was issued on September 25, 1996.  Groundwater monitoring has continued to show  changes in groundwater quality with time, with the new landfill cap in place. 

A five-year review report was approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in May 2001 which concluded that the remedy remained protective of human health and the environment, based on the monitoring results at the time. However, in October 2001, vinyl chloride was detected for the first time in two downgradient private wells at significant concentrations. These two private wells were initially fitted with treatment systems. Later, the residences were connected to the city of Ripon municipal water by means of an extension of the water line to the area.  In addition, two other private residences in the same area were connected to the municipal water system.

Semi-annual groundwater monitoring has been instituted for both monitoring wells associated with the landfill and several downgradient private wells. Additional monitoring wells have been installed to help determine the degree and extent of the groundwater plume. As the investigations continue, possible alternative remedies for the groundwater contamination will be considered. An active gas management system at the landfill to replace the passive one is being investigated.  A second five-year review was completed in September 2006.  The conclusion was that the remedy, with the additional measurres taken, is expected to be protective of human health and the environment in the short term.   However, it is not protective in the long term because a study of the adequacy of the institutional controls is needed and the requirements for the interim measures taken and additional measures that may be needed must be made enforceable.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
bernard schorle (schorle.bernard@epa.gov)
(312) 886-4746

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
bob paulson
(312) 886-0272

Aliases

RIPON LDFL CITY OF
RIPON CITY OF LDFL(HWY FF)

 

Site Profile Information

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