Mid-Atlantic Superfund

EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)

Pennsylvania
Chester County
Near Coatsville in West Bradford and Newlin Townships

EPA ID# PAD000441337

16th Congressional District

Last Update: June 2005
No future updates

Other Names

None

Current Site Status

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has completed the cleanup of the Strasburg Landfill, where a multi-layer cap and subsurface leachate collection system, as well as the construction of an on-site water treatment plant, were completed in late September 1999. The cap was revegetated, and EPA will continue to collect ground water data for the next seven years. Groundwater around the site continues to show no contamination. The cap and the groundwater collection and treatment system are now being operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Site Description

The 302-acre Strasburg Landfill site, located in Chester County, Pennsylvania was purchased in 1973, by Strasburg Associates and received a permit in 1975, to accept municipal wastes. However, no landfilling was conducted during that period. In 1978, Strasburg Associates sold the property to Strasburg Landfill Associates. The new owner eventually began landfilling operations, using 24 acres near the center of the site. In 1979, the landfill was licensed to receive industrial waste under a new permit. Records show that Diamond Shamrock Chemicals Company sent 500 to 600 tons of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) wastes to the landfill in 1979, and that Gichner Mobile Systems disposed of heavy-metal sludge there. The Commonwealth prohibited the landfill from receiving an industrial waste permit in 1980. Early in 1983, the Commonwealth found volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals in on-site monitoring wells and various VOCs in an off-site private well downgradient of the landfill. The same contaminants were discovered in liquids leaching from the site. Later in the year, the Commonwealth closed the operation. About 1,200 people draw drinking water from municipal wells within three miles of the landfill. However, about 75 homes downgradient of the site use private wells. The Brandywine Creek flows within one-half mile of the landfill. Briar Run (one of only two natural trout breeding streams in SE Pennsylvania), flows into the Brandywine Creek, and is within 200 feet of the site. Soil and on-site wells were contaminated with VOCs and heavy metals including lead and copper from former disposal practices. Drinking water in two private off-site wells and Briar Run downgradient of the site contained VOCs. Since the landfill cap and leachate collection and treatment system have been installed the concentration of contaminants have all dropped below actionable levels. The site no longer poses a measurable risk to the surrounding community.

Site Responsibility

This site is being addressed through Federal actions and being operated and maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection .

NPL Listing History

Our country's most serious, uncontrolled, or abandoned hazardous waste sites can be cleaned using federal money. To be eligible for federal cleanup money, a site must be put on the National Priorities List. This site was proposed to the list on June 24, 1988 and formally added to the list on March 31, 1989.

Threats and Contaminants

The site no longer poses a threat to human health and the environment. Formerly, soil and on-site wells were contaminated with VOCs and heavy metals, including lead and copper from former disposal practices. Drinking water in three private, off-site wells, downgradient of the site, contained VOCs. Briar Run Creek contained various VOCs. Consumption of contaminated ground water and direct contact with contaminated liquids on the site formerly posed potential health risks. Access to the landfill is restricted by a large fence. Ground water monitoring and operation and maintenance of the cap and the leachate collection and treatment system will continue.

Contaminant descriptions and associated risk factors are available at: (ATSDR web site).

 

Cleanup Progress

Construction of the landfill cap and the leachate collection and treatment system is completed. The Record of Decision addressing ground water selected the “No Remedial Action” alternative which means that EPA will take no further action to cleanup the ground water. However, ground water monitoring will continue, as will the operation and maintenance of all engineering technologies installed at the site. It is expected that contaminant levels in the ground water, which are currently within the acceptable range, will continue to decline.

Contacts

Site Contacts

Administrative Record Locations