Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
LAWRENCE COUNTY
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP

Congressional District # 06

E.H. SCHILLING LANDFILL

EPA ID# OHD980509947
Last Updated: April, 2008

Site Description

The E. H. Schilling Landfill, located in Hamilton Township, Lawrence County, Ohio, is a three-acre site that operated as a waste disposal facility from 1969 to 1980. During the operation, it accepted a wide variety of liquid and solid hazardous industrial and non-hazardous wastes including styrene, phenol, acetone, alcohol, wastewater treatment sludges, coal tar compounds and foam material. The waste material was deposited behind an earthen dam and under a soil cover. Depth of the waste material is approximately 45 feet. The landfill was closed by the State of Ohio in 1980, due to numerous permit violations. In March 1987, an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) was signed between the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and two responsible parties (RPs) to investigate the site contamination. The investigation showed that the landfill was leaking volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), semi- VOCs and metals into the surrounding soil, sediment and groundwater. The earthen dam did not meet acceptable safety standards and the soil cover over the waste material did not prevent infiltration of rainwater into the waste material. A Record of Decision (ROD) was issued by U.S. EPA in September 1989, and specified removing the liquid waste from within the landfill with treatment in a onsite treatment plant, preventing water infiltration through capping the landfill and installing a grout curtain/slurry wall, improving the structural stability of the earthen dam and treating contaminated groundwater near the landfill. Contaminated groundwater has not migrated offsite. The site is located in a rural area and approximately 2,000 people live within three miles of the site with some individuals on private wells.

Site Responsibility

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

Threats and Contaminants

Nickel had been detected in air sampled near the landfill at levels exceeding Federal standards. Arsenic and VOCs have been found in groundwater. Leachate, soil, and stream sediments were found to be contaminated with VOCs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. These threats are being addressed as described below.

Cleanup Progress

In May 1991, a Consent Decree (CD) was signed between U.S. EPA and four RPs to conduct the design and construction of the remedy. Construction of the site remedy was completed in August 1993. A total of 3,100 cubic yards of contaminated soil and sediment were excavated and consolidated under the landfill cap. Approximately 8,000,000 gallons of liquids from within the landfill and groundwater have been treated in the onsite treatment plant. Treatment consists of metals removal, biological reactors for the VOCs and semi-VOCs and carbon adsorption as a final step for VOCs. Liquid levels within the landfill have decreased dramatically due to the pumping, landfill cap and grout curtain/slurry wall, but still remain at unacceptable levels. It has been estimated that the treatment plant may cease operation in a few years. The potential for this is being monitored.The treatment plant discharge has met all Ohio substantive effluent limitations and is in compliance. A five-year review was completed on September 29, 1997, and based upon the review, the remedy was found to be protective of human health and the environment. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) activities continue at the site. A second five-year review was completed for the site in September 2002 and determined that the site remedy is protective of human health and the environment.   The PRP implemented the recommendations outlined in the Sep. 2002 five-year review.  The third five-year review was completed in July 2007, also finding the remedy to be protective of human health and the environment.  The PRPs are currently implementing the recommendations outlined in the July 2007 five-year review.    

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
scott hansen (hansen.scott@epa.gov)
(312) 886-1999

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

Aliases

EH SCHILLING LANDFILL
SCHILLING E H LDFL

 

Site Profile Information

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