News Releases - 2002

Illinois EPA Responds To Citizen Complaint at H & L Landfill:
Results Reveal No High Readings

Springfield, Ill. -- In response to a concern by the property owners, the Illinois EPA conducted soil sampling on residential property adjacent to the H & L #1 Landfill in Danville; however, extensive sampling revealed no levels of contaminants that exceeded health standards.

During H & L's active operating period, which ended in 1974, waste from the landfill was inadvertently disposed on the private property. The neighboring property owners had requested that the Illinois EPA sample their property to determine if any of the waste posed a health risk to them or to animals on their property. The Illinois EPA sampled for a wide spectrum of chemicals, including organic and inorganic compounds. All sample results were within guidelines considered safe for residential property.

Final preparations are now underway to construct final cover for the entire landfill, focusing on the construction of the engineered cap and landfill gas vents. Illinois EPA staff met today with contractors to set the schedule and to give instructions to contractors so that work can begin promptly. Danville city officials were also invited to attend.

In 1999, H & L #1 Landfill was identified by Governor George Ryan as one of 33 abandoned landfills in Illinois for which Illinois FIRST funds would be allocated. These landfills were considered the worst landfills in the state, due to their potential environmental risk. The Illinois FIRST funds are being combined with a contribution from the city of Danville to pay for the engineering and construction of the cap for the H & L #1 Landfill.

The engineering of a proper cap for the landfill will aid in the control of surface water runoff and erosion of the landfill cover. In addition, a properly constructed cap will minimize the seeping of rainwater into the landfill. By minimizing the downward flow of rainwater into the landfill, the cap will reduce the amount of leachate generated by the landfill. This will in turn decrease the amount of contamination leaching into the groundwater. Passive gas vents will also be constructed at the site, to manage the build up of gas inside the landfill.

Work on the landfill will be completed in the spring of 2003. In the past, the city of Danville installed leachate collection system at the landfill and nearby residents were connected to a public water supply.

Once the work is completed, the H & L #1 Landfill will not be suitable for any public or recreational use. The site will remain fenced after construction of the landfill cap is complete. The city of Danville will continue to operate and maintain the leachate collection system and mow and maintain the turf cover.