Western Lion Landfill / Services Disposal #1

Western Lion Landfill Site

Mattoon, Illinois

Background

The Western Lion Landfill, approximately 26 acres, is located at the intersection of Coles County roads 1100E (Loxa Road) and 900N (Route 316) and is about 1½ miles northeast of Mattoon. The landfill was operated from 1978 until 1996. Various violations were documented by Illinois EPA during its operation. An inspection by Illinois EPA's Champaign field office in 1994 revealed an improper excavation in already-buried waste. The landfill was subsequently closed by an agreed order in January 1996 (Coles County Circuit Court).

Leachate is a liquid that results from rainwater traveling through the waste in a landfill and usually contains a variety of contaminants found in garbage and liquid wastes that were disposed. Leachate at the Western Lion site has collected in a 200' x 100' pit originally dug for the placement of more waste. The clean up of the leachate in this pit is the focus of the current actions by Illinois EPA.

Does the leachate in the pit threaten the nearby Riley Creek, which is a Class A stream?

Yes. During rain events, the pit has spilled over and drained to Riley Creek. This is why the Illinois EPA had a berm built at the north end of the pit last year. A contractor is now repairing the berm to keep the leachate in place until the current work can be completed.

Class A Stream - This is a Biological Stream Characterization which indicates a "Unique Aquatic Resource" compar- able to the best situations without human disturbance.

What is Illinois EPA planning on doing with the leachate in the pit?

Within the next month, a contractor hired by Illinois EPA will conduct a pump test at the pit. This test will help the Agency evaluate how quickly the pit recharges (fills up again) from landfill seepage, the quantity of leachate present in the pit and the ultimate cost to clean it up. The pumping will go on for ten days. At a cost of $200,000, approximately 1,000,000 gallons of leachate will be pumped out of the pit, then hauled off-site to be treated at the City of Mattoon wastewater treatment facility.

What is the goal of the current work?

The goal is to empty the pit of leachate as much as practical and backfill it with clean fill dirt and some construction debris. Once the pit is filled, it should not collect leachate the way it has in the past.

What is the time line for accomplishing the above work?

Illinois EPA's contractor will begin activities on part of the work as soon as the pump test is complete. The Agency does not yet have all the information about how long the clean up work will take or the exact cost for it. However, we will know more about that toward the end of the summer.

I live about one-half mile from the site. Am I or are my children at risk from chemical exposures from the site?

Risks from exposures to contaminants at the site would be limited to trespassers who go onto the site and may have direct contact with contamination such as the leachate. That is why Illinois EPA contracted last year to have a fence built around the pit. There was a concern that someone might fall in while attempting to walk on floating debris, not knowing that there is a deep pit underneath.

What kind of chemicals are in the leachate?

The analysis of the leachate tested in April 1999 revealed traces of chemicals typically found in degraded landfill materials, including some ammonia and trace metals. However, there were no chemicals at a level of concern for residents off-site.

Will area drinking water wells be affected by the contamination in the leachate?

Analysis of recent groundwater sampling performed at the landfill by Illinois EPA's Site Assessment Unit revealed low levels of some metals, but not at levels of public health concern. No volatile or semi-volatile organic compounds or pesticides were observed in the sample results. As part of the final closure for the landfill, monitoring of the groundwater will be done so that if contaminants leak into the groundwater in the future, they may be caught before they leave the site. In addition, a clay cap will be installed over the entire landfill to stop rain water from going through the waste and creating more leachate.

I am worried that the work will begin on this site and then get stalled like so many other projects. What assurances are there that the work will be completed?

The Illinois EPA recently compiled a list of 33 Illinois landfill sites that are considered to be environmental threats and in need of clean up. Illinois EPA has requested funds from the legislature to do the necessary work on the worst of these sites. The Western Lion site is third on the list. On June 15, 1999, Governor Ryan signed Public Act 91-39 which includes funding to install a clay cap on top of this landfill.

For more information, please contact:

Please keep in mind that the contractors doing work on the site are busy doing their jobs and should not be interrupted with questions about the site. The two contacts listed here can best answer your questions about the site. Thanks for your understanding on this issue.