Northampton, MA, Regional Landfill History, Environmental, and Health Concerns

What are the hazardous wastes that have been deposited at the Landfill, especially the unlined Landfill that was in operation from 1969 until 1990? What are the adverse impacts this has had on the water supply including public and private drinking water wells (the Landfill is in a Zone II for a public well in Easthampton) and over an important regional aquifer, the Barnes aquifer, that supplies water to 60,000 people in western Massachusetts? Part of the aquifer is a sole source aquifer. In addition there are homes around the Landfill that depend on private wells.

What have been the environmental impacts on the Wetlands and the Hannum Brook which are next to the Landfill? The Hannum Brook draws from groundwater.

What have been the adverse impacts on the families living around the perimeter of the Landfill? Some homes are as close as 500ft from the Landfill.

What are the water, air, and soil contaminations that have occurred near the Landfill?

What we have learned thus far:

1969:

Spilled inks from a wallpaper factory were deposited at the Landfill and not removed until 20 years later. Ink deposits are considered a hazardous waste containing elevated levels of methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl ethyl ketone, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, and lead.

Northampton Solid Waste Committee recommended that the Landfill expand to become a regional Landfill. Thirteen towns were then allowed to bring waste to the Northampton Landfill.

First time groundwater monitoring was done significant concentrations of benzene, carbon tetrachloride, trichlorethane, and its decomposition products were found.

Groundwater sampling showed elevated levels of methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran and methyl ethyl ketone benzene, chlorobenzene, and xylene.

Several complaints were filed against the city because of contamination of wetlands and the Hannum Brook located south of the Landfill. Livestock became ill after drinking water from the Brook and the Dept. of Agriculture and the Hampshire County Extension Service determined that the water was not safe for livestock and not safe for crop irrigation. The city had to supply an alternate source of water for the farm south of the Landfill.

Several canisters of ethyl ether and anhydrous ether were found at the Landfill.

Site Assessment Report by C.T. Male Associates stated that several monitoring wells have shown evidence of leachate contamination including high conductivity iron, chlorides, and volatile organic chemicals (VOC’s). There is a leachate plume that generally flows below the Hannum Brook south of the Landfill. The Landfill is having an adverse impact on groundwater. The leachate plume from the Landfill extends at least 500 ft. past Park Hill Rd. located to the south of the Landfill. The leachate generated either percolates into the ground or may occasionally mix with storm water runoff. There was observed evidence of leachate outbreaks.

Removal of ink wastes.

2007: