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Delta County Landfill (Escanaba, Delta County)

Delta County Landfill (Escanaba, Delta County)

Disclaimer: Web content may not be routinely updated on this page.

Please contact the Site Lead for the most up-to-date status of this site.

EGLE site lead

John J. Ozoga, OzogaJ@Michigan.gov or 231-429-1718.

Waste Disposal Questions

Delta County Landfill: 906-786-9056

Background

The Delta County Landfill, located at 5701 19th Avenue North, began operation in 1985.  The landfill consisted of unlined waste disposal cells that contaminated groundwater with low levels of metals. The unlined cells were later encapsulated under enforcement actions and groundwater has been monitored for contaminates of concern. In July 2021, EGLE requested the landfill sample groundwater and PFAS was found in three monitoring wells. Nearby applications of biosolids from the Escanaba Wastewater Treatment Plant may also be contributing to PFAS detected in monitor wells.

Groundwater flow leaving the site is in a south-easternly direction towards a large wetland area.

Content posted January 2022.

Delta County Landfill map

Site map

See an aerial view of the location of the site.

Expand the map

Drinking water

EGLE and MDHHS are evaluating nearby drinking water wells for sampling. There are two water production wells at the landfill used to wash vehicles only. A drinking water well is located 900 feet due east of the landfill at the Great Lakes Sports and Recreation Club. The City of Escanaba provides municipal water to the remainder of residences/businesses located downgradient of the site.

Anticipated activities

During the first 2 quarters of 2022 a total of 17 monitoring wells are to be sampled for PFAS compounds with submittal of the results by June 30, 2022. Based on the results, EGLE may need to investigate other potential sources in the area.

Historical Timeline

    • On July 13, 2021, EGLE sent a letter to the landfill requesting that a PFAS sampling plan be submitted.
    • On August 24, 2021, EGLE approved the PFAS sampling plan submitted by the landfill.
    • On September 15, 2021, the landfill conducted groundwater sampling at three onsite monitoring wells.
    • On November 8, 2021, EGLE received the landfill PFAS sampling results. The highest result was 210 ppt PFOA.
    • On December 1, 2021, EGLE sent a letter to the landfill requesting that a PFAS sampling plan (2nd round) be submitted addressing sampling a commercial well and additional monitoring wells.
    • On December 20, 2021, the Landfill consultant sampled the Great Lakes Sports and Recreation Club drinking water well and two on-site Landfill production wells for PFAS compounds and vanadium.
    • On January 10, 2022, EGLE received the sample results for the samples collected at the Great Lakes Sports and Recreation Club drinking water well and two on-site Landfill production wells collected in December 2021.  The results were non-detect for PFAS and vanadium.

    Sampling Results Summary

    Type of Sample

    Date Sampled
    (or range)

    Number of Sample
    Results Received

    Number of Samples
    above Criteria*
    Groundwater
    Monitoring Wells    		 September 15, 2021 3 3
    Surface Water September 15, 2021 1 0

    *Residential well and groundwater monitoring well results are compared to EGLE Part 201 criteria for 7 PFAS compounds effective 12/21/2020:  PFOS (16 ppt), PFOA (8 ppt), PFNA (6 ppt), PFHxS (51 ppt), PFHxA (400,000 ppt), PFBS (420 ppt), and HFPO-DA (370 ppt).
    *Surface water samples are compared to Rule 57 non-drinking water values of 12 ppt for PFOS and 12,000 ppt for PFOA.

    Sampling Notes

    • A sample collected from a landfill under drain was below Part 201 Criteria for PFAS compounds. A landfill leachate sample collected from the collection system detected the presence of PFAS compounds.