Jeremy L. Dillon
RW Monitor
9/11/2015
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster (R) released late last week a series of reports from independent contractors that indicate that the smoldering fire and contamination surrounding the West Lake Landfill are more wide-spread than previously thought.
According to the reports, contamination in groundwater outside the landfill perimeter has been identified, including radiological contamination detected in trees surrounding the site, while data indicate that the smoldering fire has moved past the two rows of interceptor wells positioned at the neck of the landfill, closer to the radiologically impacted material.
“These reports underscore what has been clear from the beginning—Republic Services does not have this site under control,” Koster said in a statement. “Not only does the landfill emit a foul odor, it appears that it has poisoned its neighbors’ groundwater and vegetation. The people of Missouri can’t afford to wait any longer—Republic needs to get this site cleaned up.”
Koster plans to use the reports as evidence in his lawsuit he filed against Republic Services, alleging the company’s management of the landfill was negligent and that the company has violated state environmental laws. Koster’s lawsuit is set for trial in March 2016. According to a release, the suit seeks penalties, actual damages, and punitive damages as a consequence of Republic’s allegedly unlawful conduct.
Republic, for its part, maintained that its remains a responsible steward of the site.
“All data continues to reinforce that the subsurface reaction is isolated to the South Quarry, and has not impacted the North Quarry,” Republic said in a statement. “The Landfill team considers three significant criteria when evaluating subsurface reaction activity. They are: (a) carbon monoxide levels detected in landfill gas drawn from the subsurface; (b) surface settlement; and (c) maximum wellhead temperatures.”
The company added, “Bridgeton Landfill is in a managed state. It is safe, and it is intensely monitored. The Landfill has invested more than $125 million in infrastructure, equipment and technology to control odor and manage the subsurface reaction.”
The West Lake Landfill cleanup project has taken on an added sense of urgency after recent reports revealed the site contains more radioactive waste closer to a nearby smoldering fire than previously thought. Currently, the West Lake Landfill is supervised by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund program, which took over responsibility for the site in 1990.
The EPA is conducting an engineering survey and groundwater analysis of the site to determine the best location to construct an isolation barrier to prevent the spread of the fire located near the radioactive part of the landfill.
