Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
BELTRAMI COUNTY
BEMIDJI

Congressional District # 08

KUMMER SANITARY LANDFILL

EPA ID# MND980904049
Last Updated: August, 2006

Site Description

The Kummer Sanitary Landfill site in Northern Township, Minnesota, covers 35 acres on a 40-acre parcel of land which includes the Kummer residence. From 1971 until 1984, the site was a privately owned and operated solid waste landfill that accepted mixed municipal wastes. Beginning in 1974, demolition debris, consisting of fly ash and sawdust, was disposed of onsite. There is a history of violations such as improper covering of the debris, garbage blowing from the site, and improper grading. In 1982 and 1983, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) sampled groundwater from onsite monitoring wells and found the water to be contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Residential wells downgradient from the site were found to be contaminated the following year, and subsequently, in 1985, the landfill was closed. Northern Township has a population of about 4,100 people. A trailer park is about 1,500 feet away from the landfill, and a residential area is about 1,000 feet away with both areas housing approximately 1,000 people. 

Site Responsibility

This site is being addressed through federal and state actions.

Threats and Contaminants

Groundwater, underlying the site, contains VOCs, including vinyl chloride, xylenes, carbon tetrachloride, and naphthalene from the landfill wastes. People who come into direct contact with or ingest contaminated groundwater may be at risk. There is the potential for contaminants from the landfill to leach into Lake Bemidji or the wetlands area. Wildlife in and around the lake and wetlands may be harmed by pollutants. 

Cleanup Progress

The site is being addressed in three long-term cleanup actions to supply an alternate water source, control the source of contamination, and cleanup the groundwater. In 1985, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) selected a remedy to provide alternate water to affected residents by constructing a connecting well tapping into the deep uncontaminated aquifer, connecting into the city of Bemidji's main waterline, and installing a water distribution system. The well installation and distribution system was completed in 1991. The state connected the affected residences to the municipal water supply; however, some residents have refused connection. Also in 1985, U.S. EPA and the state signed a cooperative agreement (CA), whereby the state will investigate and clean up the site. The agreement provided for the funding of an alternate water supply for residents with contaminated wells. To control the source of the contamination, U.S. EPA selected a remedy in 1988 which included: grading the site and consolidating the soil and other waste material; placing a sloping foundation layer of natural soil fill; covering the landfill with clay or synthetic material and a drainage layer with a soil and vegetative cover; establishing deed restrictions to limit the future use of the site; fencing the site; and monitoring the groundwater and landfill gas to ensure the effectiveness of the cleanup.

The state began cleanup activities in 1990 and completed activities in late 1992. U.S. EPA has transferred the cleanup of contaminated groundwater to the State of Minnesota, which has amended the remedy to implement institutional controls, restricting the use of groundwater and to conduct groundwater monitoring. After one year of monitoring, the state will begin bio-remediation of the groundwater. The potentially responsible parties (PRPs) entered into a consent decree with U.S. EPA on March 1, 1994. The settlement provides for the recovery of past and future cleanup costs from the parties.  A preliminary close-out report (PCOR) was signed on June 22, 2000.  The PCOR documents that all construction was completed.  Groundwater is monitored for natural attenuation and contaminants are degrading. A five-year review was conducted on March 13, 2003. The remedy remains protective of human health and the environment.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
lolita hill (hill.lolita@epa.gov)
(312) 353-1621

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
dave novak
(312) 886-7478

Aliases

KUMMER SANITARY LDFL

 

Site Profile Information

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