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NPL Site Narrative for Coker's Sanitation Service Landfills
COKER'S SANITATION SERVICE LANDFILLS
Kent County, Delaware
Federal Register Notice: July 22, 1987Conditions at proposal (April 10, 1985): The Coker's Sanitation Service Landfills cover approximately 30 acres near Cheswold in Kent County, Delaware. The site consists of two landfills located directly across from each other along Route 152. Both areas were used as dumps for latex rubber sludges generated by the latex plant in Cheswold now operated by Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. Reichhold acquired the plant in 1976. Prior to that, it was operated by Standard Brands, Inc. (1963 to 1976) and International Latex Corp. (before 1963).
The landfill on the north side of Route 152 consisted of unlined trenches and operated from 1962 until 1976. Coker's Sanitation Service, which handled the disposal operations for Reichhold and Standard Brands, leased this property from the current owner. The landfill to the south of Route 152 operated from 1977 until 1980 under a State solid waste disposal permit. Wastes were disposed of in lined trenches. Coker's Sanitation Service also leased this property from the current owner.
According to EPA tests, ground water in the vicinity of the landfills has been contaminated by acrolein and ethylbenzene. To date, residential wells close to the landfills do not contain these contaminants or violate any drinking water standards, according to EPA. About 4,000 people depend on wells within 3 miles of the site for drinking water.
Bis (2-chloroethyl) ether was also detected in leachate coming from the landfills. Drainage from the site enters Willis Creek, which feeds Garrisons Lake 6,000 feet downstream. The lake is used for recreational activities.
Status (July 22, 1987): EPA has started a remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) to determine the type and extent of contamination at the site and identify alternatives for remedial action. EPA is also negotiating with individuals or companies potentially responsible for wastes associated with the site to conduct the RI/FS.
For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.