FORT LEWIS (LANDFILL NO. 5)
WASHINGTON
EPA ID# WA9214053465		EPA Region 10
Pierce County
Fort Lewis

9th Congressional District
Other Names: U.S. Army 9th Infantry- Fort Lewis, U.S. Army- Fort Lewis, Fort Lewis
Last Update: April, 2010

Hide details for Site DescriptionSite Description

The Ft. Lewis Landfill No. 5 Superfund site consists of a 60-acre closed portion of the active Fort Lewis Landfill No. 5, located in Tillicum, Washington. The landfill accepted mixed municipal solid waste (industrial, commercial, residential), demolition waste, and dewatered sludge from the Fort Lewis wastewater treatment plant from 1967 through July, 1990. The site is located adjacent to the city of Dupont and the predominant land use in the area is the Fort Lewis Military Installation. Volatile organics and base/neutral and acid-extractables (BNAs) were detected in monitoring wells primarily near the downgradient edge of the landfill. The closest residence to the site is located about 2 miles away. Municipal drinking water wells are located within 1 1/2 miles of the site.

Site Responsibility: This site has been addressed through Federal actions.

NPL Listing HistoryDates
Proposed Date:10/15/1984
Removed Date:
Withdrawal Date:
Final Date:07/22/1987
Deleted Date:05/22/1995


Hide details for Threats and ContaminantsThreats and Contaminants

Media Affected: Groundwater
Preliminary investigations in 1987 indicated that elevated levels of heavy metals and organic compounds had contaminated ground water. Potential human health threats included direct contact with or ingestion of contaminated ground water. Ground water flows north-northwest toward Puget Sound.


Hide details for Cleanup ProgressCleanup Progress

Closure of the landfill was initiated in 1987, and was conducted under the authority of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department by the Army. The closure complied with State Minimum Functional Standards and included the construction of a cover, a surface water management system, and a passive gas ventilation system to collect and burn landfill gas. Contaminant concentrations in the ground water declined to levels below state and federal cleanup standards once the cover was in place; therefore, no further action was required under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The Army will continue to monitor ground water to confirm that the remedy remains effective.

The site was deleted from the National Priorities List (NPL) on May 22, 1995.


Hide details for Regional ContactsRegional Contacts

SITE MANAGER(S):Chris Cora
E-MAIL ADDRESS:cora.christopher@epa.gov
PHONE NUMBER:206-553-1478
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT COORDINATOR:
E-MAIL ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER:
Information pertaining to this site is housed at the following location(s):
Tacoma Public Library, Lakewood Branch
6300 Wildaire Road Southwest
Tacoma, WA 98499
253-582-6040