|
 |
|
|
|
Site Type: Site Awaiting NPL Decision (SAND) 
ACTON LANDFILL
 | Click to view
map of site |
| ACTON, Massachusetts |
| MIDDLESEX County |
| Street Address: | 14 FOREST ROAD
|
| Zip Code: | 01720 |
Congressional
District(s): |
05 |
| EPA ID #: | MAD980906697 |
| Site ID #: | 0100761 |
| Site Alias: | |
|
|
Description
This site is currently designated by EPA as "Other Cleanup Activity - State Lead". This means that further investigation and any necessary cleanup actions are being performed under the state agency's supervision in accordance with state program requirements. EPA and the state have agreed that no further steps will be taken by the federal Superfund remedial program to evaluate this site, pending completion of the activities being performed in accordance with the state program requirements. Upon receipt of documentation from the state that all necessary actions have been completed, EPA will consider whether any further actions are appropriate by the federal Superfund program or if the site should be archived from CERCLIS.
For current information on the status of activities at this site, please contact the state at the number provided below.
The following information was posted in August 2001 and has not been updated. This information is provided for informational purposes and was accurate at the time of posting.
The Acton Landfill (AL) property is located at 14 Forest Road in Acton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. The 19.88-acre AL property is identified on Acton Tax Assessor's Map G-4 as parcels 75, 76, and 140. The property is comprised of a closed 14-acre municipal landfill, a transfer station, a Department of Public Works garage, a road-sand shed and undeveloped woodland and wetland. The AL property is bordered to the north, northwest, and southeast by residential properties; to the east and northeast by Forest Road; to the south by Route 2 (Massachusetts Avenue); and to the west by an unnamed stream.
Property usage and ownership prior to 1927 could not be determined. The Town of Acton has owned and operated the AL property as a landfill since 1927. Between 1927 and 1969, the property was used as a burning dump. From 1969 until 1985, the property was used as a municipal landfill. Municipal and industrial wastes, the exact types and quantities of which are unknown, have been disposed of in the landfill. The landfill was closed and capped in 1985. Also in 1985, a refuse transfer station was constructed north of the landfill that has been in operation since that time. The transfer station accepts household trash and recyclables, including waste oil, which is stored in underground storage tanks, aboveground storage tanks, and 55-gallon drums with a total capacity of approximately 31,550 gallons. Some of the waste oil is burned on site to heat the garage building; the rest, along with residue from the burning, is disposed of off site. During closure of the landfill, 14 groundwater monitoring wells were installed around the perimeter of the landfill. The Town of Acton collected groundwater samples from the on-site monitoring wells and surface water samples from the unnamed stream semi-annually between 1985 and 1990. Between 1991 and 1995, O'Reilly, Talbot & Okun Associates, Inc. collected water samples from the monitoring wells and the stream annually. Samples were analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and inorganic elements. Environmental investigations conducted at the property include a Preliminary Assessment completed in 1987, a Site Inspection completed in 1991, and a Site Inspection Prioritization completed in 1996.
The depth to groundwater at the AL property, measured from the bottom of the landfill, is less than 10 feet. Groundwater flow beneath the landfill is generally in a southwesterly direction. Approximately 34,005 people are served by public and private drinking water supply wells located within 4-radial miles of the AL property. The nearest public well is located approximately 0.95 miles southeast of the AL property. According to 1990 U.S. Census data, the nearest private well is located within 0.25-radial miles of the property. Analytical results of groundwater samples collected from the property between 1985 and 1995 indicated the presence of chlorinated and non-chlorinated volatile organic compounds and metals (including lead and mercury). Based on these results, potential impacts to nearby groundwater drinking water sources are unknown.
Surface water runoff from the landfill flows west into the wetlands adjacent to the landfill property. The wetlands drain into Coles Brook via an unnamed stream. Coles Brook flows south and east to Fort Pond Brook which in turn feeds Warners Pond. Warners Pond drains into the Assabet River, which flows 2.5 miles to the Concord River. The 15-mile downstream surface water pathway terminus is located along the Concord River. Water use along the 15-mile surface water pathway is limited to recreational boating and fishing. There are no drinking water intakes located along the 15-mile surface water pathway. Approximately 14.63 miles of wetland frontage, critical habitat areas for 11 State-designated threatened species, and a Clean Water Act (CWA)-protected water body exist along the 15-mile surface water pathway. Analytical results of surface water samples collected from the unnamed stream between 1985 and 1995 do not indicate the presence of any contaminants attributable to the AL property. No impacts to downstream fisheries or sensitive environments are known or suspected.
There are three full-time employees on the AL property. Pedestrian access to the property is unrestricted. Approximately 3,119 and 44,859 people reside within 1- and 4-radial miles of the AL property, respectively. The nearest residence is located approximately 250 feet southeast of the landfill along Forest Road. There are no known schools, day-care facilities, or terrestrial sensitive environments located on, or within 200 feet of, the property. There are approximately 2,984 acres of wetlands, a CWA-protected water body, and 3 State-designated threatened or endangered species habitats located within 4-radial miles of the AL property. No known surficial soil samples or laboratory qualitative air samples have been collected from the property to date. No impacts to on-site worker or nearby residential populations or sensitive environments are known or suspected.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) currently does not consider the AL property to be a disposal site that requires action under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan.
Current Status
Other Cleanup Activity – State Lead
Photos
Links to Other Information
Public Record Locations
EPA New England Records Center, One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114 (617) 918-1440
Contacts
| Nancy Smith |
| Site Assessment Manager |
| Address: | One Congress Street, Suite 1100 (HBS)
Boston, MA 02114-2023 |
| Phone #: | 617-918-1436 |
| E-Mail Address: | smith.nancya@epa.gov |
| Department of Enviornmental Protection |
| State Agency Contact |
| Address: | One Winter Street
Boston, MA 02108 |
| Phone #: | 617-292-5966 |
| E-Mail Address: | |
|