-517
„.«. -P-* *•
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LEACHATE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
Case Study of the Peoples Avenue Solid Waste Disposal Site
in Rockford, Illinois
This report (SW-517) was written
by KENNETH A. SHUSTER
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
1976
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An environmental protection publication (SW-517) in the solid waste manage-
ment series. Mention of commercial products does not constitute endorse-
ment bythe U. S. Government. Editing and technical content of this report
were the responsibilities of the Systems Management Division of the Office of
Solid Waste Management Programs.
Single copies of this publication are available from Solid Waste Information,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268.
ii
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FOREWORD
Since its beginning in 1965, one of the concerns of EPA's Office of Solid
Waste Management Programs (OSWMP) has been the development and use of
environmentally sound methods of solid waste disposal. OSWMP recognizes
that land disposal of wastes is an essential element in any present and future
solid waste management system, and it is necessary to ensure that these land
disposal sites do not adversely impact the environment. To this end, OSWMP
currently has four studies in the area of leachate control: (1) leachate charac-
terization, production, and migration; (2) leachate damage assessment; (3)
leachate control technology; and (4) leachate administrative controls (land
disposal site permitting and enforcement programs). The goal of these proj-
ects is to develop landfill standards or guidelines to protect our surface and
ground water resources from leachate contamination.
This report is an output of the leachate damage assessment project. It
discusses the leachate damages which occurred at a specific land disposal site.
The leachate damage assessment project examines the impacts and magni-
tude of the leachate contamination problem in the United States on local,
regional, and national levels. This includes the identification of the types and
locations of sites causing leachate damages, the types and extent of leachate
damages, and the comparison of damage costs and risks to control costs. The
leachate damage assessment project establishes the need, if any, for leachate
control standards or guidelines, and gives insights into what controls are
necessary. This project is described further in Leachate Damage Assessment:
An Approach. *
-SHELDON MEYERS
Deputy Assistant Administrator
for Solid Waste Management
*Leachate Damage Assessment: An Approach. Kenneth A. Shuster.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1976.
111
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PREFACE
Leachate is contaminated water which is produced when rain or other
water passes through wastes in a land disposal site, picking up various
mineral, organic, and other contaminants. Depending on the types of wastes
received at the disposal site, leachate may contain various decaying organics,
bacteria and viruses, and heavy metals and other toxic chemicals. Unless
controlled, each of these contaminants will migrate different distances based
primarily on the type of operation, the physical and chemical properties of the
contaminants, and the hydrogeologic conditions around the site. If allowed to
migrate from the site, leachate may contaminate ground or surface water and
result in damages such as polluted wells or fishkills. The occurrence of such
damages is directly related to the proximity of the resource to the disposal
site, the direction of surface or ground water (leachate) flow, and dilution.
Past disposal practices in the United States have typically overlooked the
leachate problem, frequently favoring the use of cheaper and more remote
"waste lands" such as flood plains, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and marsh-
lands. These marginal sites tend to be more socially and politically acceptable,
as well as cheaper when the leachate problem is ignored.
Due to the lack of ground-water monitoring around disposal sites in the
United States, the seriousness and extent of the leachate problem is unknown.
In most situations, only when wells are polluted or fish are killed, does the
problem surface and attract attention. A number of studies of leachate produc-
tion and migration at specific sites, however, has been recently completed.
Information on leachate migration from damage cases and specific site studies
coupled with general information on disposal site locations and operations in
the United States indicate that at least one-fourth and possibly as many as
three-fourths of the municipal land disposal sites in the United States have
leachate migration .problems. Hopefully, as more of the older sites are
replaced by new sites which are better located, designed, and operated, these
conditions will improve.
This report is the first in a series of case studies documenting damages
caused by leachate from municipal land disposal sites. Described are the
history and type of operation, damages caused by leachate, remedial actions,
and associated costs.
The author acknowledges the special assistance of H. Spencer Merz
(Superintendent of the City of Rockford Water Department), Tom Cavanagh
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and Charles E. Clark (Illinois State Environmental Protection Agency), and
Ronald Heinen (Rockford City Engineer) for providing the major information
upon which this report is based, and Joyce Corry for editing the report.
KENNETH A. SHUSTER
Program Manager
Systems Management Division
Office of Solid Waste Management
Programs
VI
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CONTENTS
CONCLUSIONS 1
SUMMARY 3
History 3
Damages 3
Remedial Action 3
Costs 3
HISTORY OF SITE DEVELOPMENT 5
Location 5
History and Type of Operation 5
Types and Amounts of Waste Disposed 5
Site Selection and Engineering Design 8
Hydrogeological Description of Site 8
LEACHATE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT 10
Quaker Oats Company 10
Problem Identification 10
Leachate Characterization 11
Damages 11
Remedial Action 12
Public Supply Well No. 14 12
Problem Identification 12
Leachate Characterization 12
Damages 15
Remedial Action 15
Private Residential Wells 16
Problem Identification 16
Leachate Characterization 16
Damages 16
Remedial Action 16
vii
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CONTENTS (continued)
Page
LEACHATE DAMAGE COSTS 17
Avoidance Costs 17
Corrective Costs 19
Administrative Costs 19
Litigation 19
CURRENT STATUS 20
SOURCES 21
APPENDIXES 22
Vlll
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CONCLUSIONS
1. The Rockford Peoples Avenue disposal site was neither located nor
operated according to currently accepted sanitary landfill practices.
The site was an unlined sand and gravel pit. Wastes were originally
placed directly into ground water.
2. The State estimated it would cost between $42,500 and $53,000 to identify
the aquifer characteristics and the extent of ground water contamination.
Due to this cost and the marginal value of such information in the absence
of corrective actions, the testing program was never done. However,
due to the proximity of the Rock River (the probable ground water dis-
charge zone), the extent of ground water contamination was probably
only about 0.16 to 0.24 square miles.
3. Nine wells were contaminated and abandoned: four industrial wells, one
public supply well, and four residential wells.
4. The public supply well and residential wells were to the side and not
directly downgradient of the disposal site. But the cone of influence of
these wells combined with the cessation of pumping from the four indus-
trial wells altered the ground water flow enough to cause their contamina-
tion.
5. Since the public water supply main line was already only several blocks
away, it was relatively easy and cheap to replace the industrial and resi-
dential wells with public water. The abundance of good ground water in
the area meant it was also rather easy and cheap to replace the public
supply well.
6. There were no litigations. The industry, the Quaker Oats Company,
needed to increase its water capacity. Although the deterioration in the
quality of its existing wells was the major factor in the decision to hook
up to the public supply rather than dig another well, the Quaker Oats
Company paid for hookup to the public supply. The production well and
the landfill were both owned by the city of Rockford. The residential wells
were replaced by the city when contamination was first reported.
7. Only a partial tabulation of costs was possible due to (1) a lack of informa-
tion (e.g., man-hours spent on the problem), (2) costs which were difficult
to identify or quantify (e.g., water consumption charges, or developmental
costs for the new public supply well already incurred), and (3) future
impacts on the city's water supply (i.e., the new well was originally
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planned for future expansion but became a replacement well instead). A
partial cost tabulation, however, was made. The equipment and installa-
tion costs to replace the nine wells were $115,500. At least $90, 000 more
was spent by the various governmental departments and disposal site
operator as a result of the ground water contamination problem.
No corrective actions were taken except to provide vents for gas escape
and a final cover to reduce water infiltration.
The damage cost identified in this report ($205,500) covers the basic re-
placement cost for the contaminated wells (avoidance and administrative
costs) and final cover on the site. This cost figure should be considered
to be very conservative in that (1) it does not include some of the more
difficult costs to identify and quantify, (2) no litigations occurred, (3) a
public water supply was nearby, and (4) the contamination was not cor-
rected, just avoided.
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SUMMARY
History. The city of Rockford's Peoples Avenue Landfill was operated
from 1947 to 1972 in a former sand and gravel pit in an industrial area within
the city limits (Table 1). It received residential, commercial, and industrial
wastes from the activities of the city's average population of approximately
125,000 people during this period. No engineering designs were done on the
site before the start of operations. The site was unlined, and wastes were
initially placed in the ground water.
Damages. Due to the proximity of the Rock River (the probable discharge
zone), the extent of ground water contamination was probably only about 0.16
to 0.24 square miles. Nine wells were contaminated and had to be abandoned:
four Quaker Oats Company wells, one public supply well, and four residential
wells.
Remedial Action. All nine wells were eventually abandoned. In 1966, the
Quaker Oats wells were replaced by city water. In 1970, the residential wells
were abandoned and city water supplied. In 1970, production from the public
supply well was cut back. In 1972, the public supply well was abandoned and
another supply well dug in another area of town,
Costs. The initial cost to replace the Quaker Oats wells was about
$22,500; the cost to replace the public supply well was about $87, 000; the cost
to replace the private wells was about $6,000. To increase surface runoff and
decrease infiltration, the State Environmental Protection Agency required the
city to place a better cover on the landfill which cost about $65,000. These
costs totaled $180, 500.
These expenditures did nothing to clean up the ground water or to correct
the source of contamination. They do not include the value of the many man-
hours spent by State EPA, Health Department, Geological Survey, and Water
Survey personnel, or the city of Rockford Public Works Department, Engineer-
ing, Council, or Water Department personnel in evaluating and administering
corrective and avoidance measures. These administrative costs were
probably at least $25,000.
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TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF THE PEOPLES AVENUE LANDFILL
LEACHATE DAMAGE CASE
Type of operation
open dump, landfill
incinerator residue
Location
sand and gravel pit
Years of operation
1947-1972
Types of wastes
residential, commercial,
industrial
Size of operation
Acres
Peak annual tonnage
Waste thickness (ft)
-tO (16 ha)
95,000 (85,500 t)
55 (16.8 m)
Annual precipitation (in. /year)
37 (94 cm)
Extent of contamination
0.16 to 0.24 mi2 (0.41 to 0. 62 km2)
Damages
4 residential wells
4 industrial wells
1 public supply well
Remedial actions
all wells abandoned;
public water supplied; new
public supply well; regrading
and covering of landfill surface
Litigation
none
Costs
Value of damaged resources (wells) $ 94,800
Damage costs (e.g., clothes, fixtures) 0
Corrective costs 65,000
Avoidance costs 115,500
Administrative costs 25.000
Total costs (excluding value of wells) $205,500
Status
Concluded
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HISTORY OF SITE DEVELOPMENT
Location. The city of Rockford is located in northern Illinois, 17 miles
south of Wisconsin and 85 miles northwest of Chicago. The Peoples Avenue
Landfill is situated in an industrial park within the city limits, in southern
Rockford. The landfill is about 700 to 800 feet east of the Rock River
(Figure 1). Between the landfill and the Rock River is a Quaker Oats Company,
Pet Foods Division, production plant which had four wells on the site. On the
landfill property was public supply well No. 14 belonging to the city of
Rockford's Water Department. To the south was a low income residential
area using individual domestic wells.
History and Type of Operation. The Peoples Avenue Landfill was formerly
a sand and gravel pit. In 1947, the city of Rockford purchased the site for
waste disposal. Private haulers may have started using the site for waste
disposal about one or two years earlier, but no waste went into the site prior to
1945 (Figure 2). The city owned the site but contracted private firms to oper-
ate it. Several different operators had the contract over the years. In 1951,
an additional part of the sandpit was purchased by the city. Sand was removed
from most of the 40-acre site, about 30 to 40 feet below grade. The water
table was about 34 feet below grade as evidenced by a pond of water in the
eastern section of the disposal site. Waste was initially placed in and close
to the ground water. By 1958, the large waterhole had been filled with waste
and covered with soil (Figure 3).
From about the mid-1950s to 1968, a small incinerator on the site pro-
cessed some of the waste to reduce its volume. It is unknown how frequently
cover material was used before 1960, but apparently the site was operated
as an open dump and infrequently covered until the mid-1950s. From some
time between 1960 and 1965 through 1972, the site was operated with daily
soil cover. In 1970-71, the cover material included substantial fly ash and
foundry sand. On July 17, 1972, the site was officially closed, about 15 to
30 feet above grade. On July 18, 1972, the first loads of waste were delivered
to the new Rockford Blacktop Company's asphalt-lined landfill, located in a
75-acre sand and gravel pit about 5 miles south of Rockford, called Pagel's pit.
Types and Amounts of Waste Disposed. The Peoples Avenue Landfill
received residential, commercial, and industrial wastes throughout its life.
Since Rockford is the world's largest manufacturer of screws and second
largest tool manufacturer, industrial wastes included metals finishing and
foundry wastes. Some data on waste amounts were obtained. In 1949, a
recorded 95,232 cubic yards of waste went into the disposal site. Using 450
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Figure 2. This photograph shows the Peoples Avenue Landfill site
(Sahlstrom sand and gravel pit) about 1945.
/Figure 3. This photograph shows the Peoples Avenue Landfill, Rockford
Illinois, in summer 1958. The waterhole has been filled in and covered.
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pounds per cubic yard, this amounts to about 21,400 tons in 1949 (about 1.29 Ibs
per capita per day). At one point, 70, 000 chickens were placed in the land-
fill. In 1968, the two-can limit was changed to unlimited residential pickup
which resulted in a jump in waste volume. In 1971, about 38,950 tons of
"household" waste went into the landfill (about 1.43 Ibs per capita per day).
In 1972, this increased by 30 percent to about 50,160 tons (about 1.83 Ibs per
capita per day) because of a no-burning ordinance which became effective in
April 1972, and which resulted in increased newspapers, leaves, and other
combustibles. In the first six months of 1973, 25,910 tons of "household"
waste were collected (about 1. 88 Ibs per capita per day).
Topographical maps of the site in 1956, 1965, 1971, and 1974 show that the
bulk of the volume of waste was placed in the disposal site after 1965. How-
ever, this may also be indicative of the volume taken up by daily cover mate-
rial. Using 3.5 Ibs per capita per day total waste for 1971, the landfill
received a peak annual tonnage of about 95,000 tons. In early 1971, the site
reached grade; by the end of 1971, half of the site was about 400 feet above
grade and the other half (closest to the Quaker Oats Company) was about 10
feet above grade.
Site Selection and Engineering Design. The site was a sandpit. There
are no evidences of design work on the landfill, although the topographic
charts of the site showing the filled-in areas do indicate some planning for
the site.
When the ground water pollution and migrating gas problems arose, a
landfill stabilization, leachate and gas control, and final use plan was developed.
However, due to costs, this plan was never implemented. Only the installation
of gas vents and final grading were accomplished.
Hydrogeological Description of Site. The Peoples Avenue Landfill is in an
old sand and gravel pit, dug about 30 to 40 feet below grade. The site is
basically sandy glacial till. Although about 1/4 mile from the Rock River, the
site is not in the flood plain. For approximately the first three years, waste
was placed in ground water in at least the eastern part of the site.
The natural ground water flow under the landfill is toward and perpendicu-
lar to the Rock River. The Quaker Oats Company wells were in this path.
Climatological data show Rockford has hot humid summers and cold
winters. The relative humidity rarely drops below 50 percent, usually rang-
ing from 55 to 80 percent. The average annual precipitation during the life of
the landfill (1947 to 1973) was 36.8 inches with the low year of 24.3 inches
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and the high of 56.5 inches. During this period, the low month had 0.01 inch
and the high had 11.8 inches. These data indicate a high net infiltration and
leachate generation potential at the site, even if the wastes had not been placed
in the ground water.
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LEACHATE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
Since no monitoring program was ever established for the Peoples
Avenue Landfill, the extent of leachate contamination of the ground water
was never determined. However, using the location of contaminated wells
as indicators, and assuming that the ground water is contaminated beneath
the landfill all the way downgradient to the Rock River, the probable dis-
charge zone, at least 65 acres and most likely 100 to 150 acres (or 0.16 to
0.24 square miles) were contaminated.
There were three types of wells affected by the Peoples Avenue Landfill :
Quaker Oats Company production wells, City of Rockford public supply well
No. 14, and private residential wells.
Quaker Oats Company
Problem Identification. The Quaker Oats Company had four wells on its
property which served as its sole water source prior to 1966 (Table 2). In
1965, the plant experienced a degradation in the taste and odor of its water.
At the same time, a drop in the capacity of the wells was experienced. The
main source of water was well No. 4 which dropped to about 700 to 1000 gpm
in 1965.
TABLE 2
QUAKER OATS COMPANY WELLS
Well
no.
1*
2*
3
4$
Date
drilled
1907
1907
1929
1953
Elevation
(ft)
710
702
738
732
Depth
(ft)
308
300
450
240
Capacity
(gpm)
400
600
2,000
Usage
7-25-63
(gpm)
0
400
500
1000-
1400
Date
discontinued
use
1953
1966f
1966t
19661
*Located in Rock River flood plain.
tWhen hooked up to city water supply.
$Well closest to the landfill.
10
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Leachate Characterization. Only four chemical analyses on samples from
the Quaker Oats wells were located, although the wells were reportedly con-
stantly sampled (Table 3). The well samples showed high total dissolved solids
and relatively high iron. A letter dated November 16, 1954 indicates that
coliform bacteria were found in wells No. 2 and No. 3 and that the possible
sources of pollution, in order of probability were: (1) from the surface directly,
(2) from the "new city garbage dump, " or (3) from the surface through defec-
tive casings.
TABLE 3
QUAKER OATS COMPANY WATER ANALYSIS
4-22-53 11-9-56 7-25-63 7-25-63
* * Well No. 4 Well No. 3
Chemical
Chloride (Cl)
Iron (Fe)
Fluoride (F)
Nitrate (NO3)
Sulfate (SO4)
Silica (SiO2)
pH
mg/1
33.5
0.3
0
134.5
12.0
8.2
mg/1 mg/1
48.0 28
0.1
20.0
mg/1
35
Total hardness (as CaCO3) 416.0 446.0
Total dissolved solids 6161 458 568t
*Samples taken from Quaker Oats Company, thought to be well No. 4.
tExceed 1962 PHS or 1972 EPA drinking water limits.
Damages. The well water degradation as evidenced by offensive taste and
odors, forced the Quaker Oats Company to abandon their wells and go to city-
supplied water. No equipment or products were damaged by contaminated water.
A methane gas problem also developed at the Quaker Oats plant as a result of
waste decomposition in the disposal site (Appendix B).
11
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Remedial Action. Because of the deterioration in water quality, the de-
crease in well capacities, the increase in water needed for fire protection, and
plant expansion plans, Quaker Oats Company conducted an in-house study in
which it concluded that the Company should switch to city water rather than dig
another well and risk contamination or low capacity. On July 1, 1966 the Quaker
Oats Company was hooked up to city water and discontinued use of its wells.
Public Supply Well No. 14
Problem Identification. One of the city of Rockford's water supply wells,
well No. 14, is located on the southeast corner of the landfill property, near
the landfill itself. The well was drilled in 1957,, 10 years after the landfill was
started (Table 4). It is 235 feet deep and has a deep well turbine which dis-
charged to a small 30,000 gallon reservoir. Two booster pumps pumped from
the reservoir to the distribution system.
In 1968 or 1969, it was found that the water was acceptable when one
pump was used; but when both pumps were used, the increase in contaminants
was too great, and undesirable odors and taste developed.
TABLE 4
CITY OF ROCKFORD PUBLIC SUPPLY WELL NO. 14
Date
drilled
Depth
(ft)
Usage
(gpm)
Date
discontinued
use
August 1957
235
2,800*
1970
*Recorded May 1, 1970.
Leachate Characterization. The results of six chemical analyses on
water from well No. 14 were obtained (Table 5),, Significant increases in
chlorides, manganese, sodium, ammonia, alkalinity, hardness, and dis-
solved minerals occurred over the years. Calcium and magnesium also
increased. Relatively unchanged were iron, fluoride, nitrate, and sulfate.
Exceeding the 1962 PHS or 1972 EPA drinking water standards were iron,
manganese, ammonia, dissolved minerals, and odor. Figure 4 shows the
deterioration of water quality over the years in well No. 14.
12
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A water sample was also collected from well No. 14 on January 22, 1964
for gas analysis (Table 6). A small amount of methane was detected. Since
methane would not normally be a constituent of water in the drift formations
in Rockford, it indicates migration of the products of decomposition in the
landfill to the well.
TABLE 6
CITY OF ROCKFORD WELL NO. 14 WATER ANALYSIS*
Free gas
Gas Composition (%) (cu ft/1000 gal)
CO2 44.1
H2
CH4
N2
Airf
Total
0.0
1.4
47.5
7.0
100$
0.1
3.8
0.6
4.5
*Water sample taken 1-22-64
tAir 20.9%62, 79.1% N2
$230 cc
Damages. Due to contamination, well No. 14 ultimately had to be
abandoned.
Remedial Action. Due to the increased chemical contaminants and
undesirable taste and odor, production was first cut back by using only one
pump. In late 1970, well No. 14 was removed from regular service. In 1972,
it was permanently removed from service.
Well No. 35, originally planned for expansion of the city's water system,
was drilled soon after well No. 14 was shut down to help alleviate the effects
of its loss and meet the growing demands for water in Rockford. Well No. 38
followed soon thereafter. Currently, there are 41 or 42 wells in the system.
15
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Private Residential Wells
Problem Identification. South of the landfill, across Harrison Avenue,
was a low-income residential area. In 1969, well water in this area became
discolored, brackish, and distasteful.
Leachate Characterization. No well sample analyses on these wells were
located.
Damages. Four shallow domestic wells were contaminated (two on Hyde
Street, one on New Milford Avenue, and one on Harrison Avenue).
Remedial Action. Without admitting the disposal site was the source of
contamination, the city brought in waterlines from the mainline on Harrison
Avenue to furnish water to the affected homes, and sealed off the contaminated
wells. These homes are in an urban renewal area and there are no families
living in the area today, with the former homes either vacated or demolished.
16
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LEACHATE DAMAGE COSTS
Avoidance Costs. Avoidance costs are those costs incurred to avoid con-
taminated water by using another water source. All the contaminated wells
were abandoned and the polluted ground water avoided. The four Quaker Oats
Company wells were replaced by piped-in city water. The public supply well
No. 14 was ultimately shut down and a new public supply well was constructed.
The four residential wells were sealed and city water was piped in. The follow-
ing avoidance costs were incurred.
Quaker Oats Company. There were three types of costs incurred by the
Quaker Oats Company as a result of the contamination of their wells: (1) ad-
ministrative and study costs, (2) costs of pipes and hookup to the city water
supply, (3) the annual cost of city water over the cost of pumping well water.
No consulting/engineering fees were incurred by Quaker Oats since the
evaluation between alternatives (dig new wells or go to city water) was done
in-house. The cost of monitoring of the wells (sampling and analysis) was
borne by an in-house lab (minimal cost) and by Illinois State labs. Some
administrative costs were incurred to oversee the transition from wells to
city water. Available correspondence shows that several meetings of the
Quaker Oats personnel with the city (Public Works Department and Water
superintendent) and with the State (Geological and Water Surveys and Health
Department) occurred. These meetings involved discussions of water analyses,
alternatives to the contaminated well problem, hooking up city water, and
resolving the migrating methane gas problem through landfill stabilization and
venting programs. It is estimated the Quaker Oats plant engineer, manage-
ment, and staff spent about three man-months on these administrative and study
activities. Assuming a $30,000 per year salary, fringe benefits, and overhead
cost, this amounts to an estimated $7, 500.
On August 31, 1965, Quaker Oats paid $6, 466. 80 for a 16-inch mainline
down Harrison Avenue to plant property, and about $200 and $300 for a 6-inch
and an 8-inch line from the main to the property line. Quaker Oats then
extended the line to their plant for an additional $8,000 for a total cost of
about $15, 000.
The annual cost of water used runs about $20 to 25, 000 per year, whereas
previously the cost of water was only the cost of pumping it.
17
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Positive effects from the city water supply hookup were reduced costs
for fire protection (with the plant expansion, another water tower would have
been required) and fire insurance.
Since there was no temporary water used, no equipment or products lost,
or even any lost production time, there were no associated costs. Neither
were there any litigation costs.
Public Supply Well No. 14. Well No. 35, which essentially replaced well
No. 14, was located in another part of the city. It was drilled 210 feet deep
and cased down to 150 feet below grade. The total cost of well No. 35 was
about $75,000 (Table 7). It was located on city park land which avoided land
cost. Otherwise, the average cost of land for a well is $1, 000 to $5,000.
The maximum the Water Department will pay for land is $5, 000. All sites
recently have been put on public lands such as park land or school property.
TABLE 7
COSTS OF WELL NO. 35
- -.... --- -_ ... - . ' —
Approximate
Item costs
Well drilling, casing, and test hole $25,000
Pump house 25,000
Pumps, piping, electrical switch gear 25,000
Total $75,000
Private Residential Wells. On September 9, 1970 the city of Rockford
paid $4,934.40 to the Water Department for a 6-inch cast iron pipe laid
approximately two blocks from Harrison Avenue to the four affected homes.
The homes paid for the 3/4-inch hookup pipes from street to house ($76.80
per home) and water meters ($26.00 per meter), Any plumbing expenses
were in addition to these costs.
18
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Corrective Costs. Corrective costs are those costs incurred to remove
the source of contamination or clean up or control contaminated ground water
such that the resource may be utilized again. In 1971 and 1972 a landfill stabi-
lization and corrective program was developed by the State and city. The State
Geological and Water Surveys proposed a ground water (leachate) counter-
pumping and recirculation program to hasten landfill stabilization and to confine
the contaminated area. A gas-venting program and water- and gas-monitoring
programs were also proposed. These programs were to be operated for at
least 10 years. The estimated initial costs for monitoring and aquifer test
wells, and instrumentation were $42, 500 to $53, 500. It was determined that to
dig up and remove the landfill was economically and physically unrealistic.
Ultimately, these corrective programs were not implemented. The State
EPA, however, required the city of Rockford to provide suitable final cover
and regrade the site. It was recognized that this regrading program would
not correct the problem, but would reduce rainwater infiltration. In the fall
of 1974, this program was implemented, costing $50,000 for fill and about
$15, 000 for grading and seeding.
Administrative Costs. No estimates on administrative expenses were
obtained. However, it can be assumed that the city of Rockford Public Works
and Water Department spent at least six man-months, and the State Geological
Survey, Water Survey, Health Department, and Environmental Protection Agency
spent at least six man-months for administrative costs. Assuming $25,000
per year per professional for salary, fringe benefits, and overhead, adminis-
trative costs amounted to at least $25,000. This amount does not include
expenses for travel, per diem, taking water samples, or locating and develop-
ing a public supply well; neither does it include some expenses associated with
developing, evaluating, and implementing avoidance and corrective alternatives,
or attending meetings.
Litigation. There were no legal actions taken by any of the damaged-well
owners.
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CURRENT STATUS
The Peoples Avenue Landfill was officially closed in July 1972 and has since
been graded and seeded. The city of Rockford wastes are currently going to a
State-permitted asphalt-lined landfill located in a sand and gravel pit about five
miles south of Rockford. All the contaminated wells were replaced with public
water. No attempts were made or are planned to retrofit the landfill or correct
the ground water contamination problem. No litigation is pending.
After 10 years, the Water Department returns the main-line costs paid,
having recovered the cost by the interest on the money held for the 10-year
period. Thus, in 1976, Quaker Oats Company will get its $6,466. 80 back, and
in 1980, the City will get its $4, 934. 40 back.
20
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SOURCES
1. Personal communication. T. Cavanagh, formerly Deputy Public Worki
Commissioner, City of Rockford, currently with State of Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency, to K. A. Shuster, Office of Solid
Waste Management Programs, Feb. 11, 1975.
2. Personal communication. H. S. Merz, Superintendent, City of Rockfoi
Water Department, to K. A. Shuster, Office of Solid Waste Managemen
Programs, Feb. 1975.
3. Personal communication. R. Heinen, Rockford City Engineer, to
K. A. Shuster, Office of Solid Waste Management Programs, Feb. 13,
1975.
4. Personal communication. J. Smith, Acting Plant Manager, Quaker Oa
Company, to K. A. Shuster, Office of Solid Waste Management Progra
Feb. 13, 1975.
5. It's time to talk about trash. Rockford Register-Republic, 109(98) :12-
June 10, 1963.
6. ACT Systems, Inc. Residential collection systems; final report, v.3.
Annexes. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1974. 1 v. (variou
pagings). [Open-file report; restricted distribution.]
7. Various letters and reports by C. Clark, State of Illinois Environment;
Protection Agency; G. Hughes, Illinois State Geological Survey;
R. Schicht, Illinois State Water Survey; and the Franz Lipp-Marvin
Wehler Partnership; Aug. 1971-June 1972.
21
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APPENDIX A
WeEB EdSoirnaotioii for Layne«Western Co.
i i
This sheet is to be filled in and mailed to office upon completion of well
..--.?.. °.f ...R.°cMorr ' m* .. Au^ ?, 195.7
Name of Job Date
2 ..... ikQ.ck.ford _ 111 .
City __ ................ State
3. Well No ....... IA [[[ .Yi.?.C.!-.
Driller'B Name
4. Well location: ...?.!?._£^?_1™P..^. .^ .^i*™..!^
Give Distance and Direction from Permanent Land Mark so Well cwl be Accurately Located Several Tear* from now.
6. Work begran......y_y....-c ............... ; work completed ...... ".'iii.r.../. ......... Number of working days ......./
6. Diameter, length and type of material left in well:
80 shutte ra o ...?.l' l No ?
7. ..... ..... feet of ..... suer. ......... gcreen raade of ...?.:L.!9..'... ?..::l. No ..... ............. openings.
Bhutter, Concrete, Keyetone Armco, Broaze. (Stainless Steel. Concrete Mesh
8 ....... i.Q ..... feet of ..... 1.6.. inch inside casing made of .st«.V.Ll? £•?... s.ttffti .VS.lAed ......... connections.
Armco. Btd. Pipe. Concrete Riveted. Welded, Screw
9. ....1.6.1..... feet of ....2.0... inch outside casing made of C.a.E.fc.-.iC.QD.... with ..... scr.gw .......... connectiona
Armco. Bid Pipe Riveted. W«li1«d. (?/•!•».»
in.' ...... 6.P,.... yards cf 6i»vel us^d in weii. Size .i^i-.^rayei set record > elo\.
11. Test of well. Did you use test or permanent pump? .......... .Lest ............. 12" SKLC ........ 4
Elie of Bowl Stagei
12. Pump No. ..8...X...1-2; geared head No ................. ; ratio ..l.-.l ....... ; r.p.m ............... ; pulley diam
13. Power used .r..??^ horse power .....?.?. ; voltage ........ _ ; r.p.m ............ ; pulley diam ............. ; r.p.m ..............
Electric Motor. Engine
14. Size of orifice ... .§ _____ inch, by ..... 1.9.. inch. Orifice tube reading ............ inches.
15. Pumping test — measurements from ground level :
Time G.P.M. Static Drawdown Pumping Level
6- hrs. 1S79 43' 13' 5C
Grrvel placed a, follows:
?2"5~-~2T5 Dea""erSv"el and t~6rfVe"-'"c""Grr.d "75,"'
225 - 210 ' " "
2IU""-'"200 ^ '""ana t.orre"'ao""s'.Tria
200-190 _u ^ *
l$5...-..a.7S .!' ." ' " ..'.."..'., ' .
179 - 145 " " and tor;.r-^o nand 75;, to "•:.:
16. Recovery in- B minutes _ , in 30 minutes ..
-------
18. Did you seal bottom of well? .?.?.?..... Thickness 2/?..._ inches,material ... .f:.f.....'..J.'.:.... .:.. 1
19. Was weD under-reamed? N.9. From feet to feet.
From feet to _ feet.
From feet to feet.
20. If all screen was not placed at bottom, state how it was spaced.
From feet to feet; from '. feet to feet; from feet to feet.
21. Depth of well (from ground level to top of plug) 2.3.5. feet inches.
22. Was cement placed around or between any of the casings? _
28. If, so, state where, how much and method used l.i:?..'....tc...£.r.cuJaa..le.valf...4.c ..,'.-:.r.dt....ri:cjdy
._ .aix,...thr.D.ugh...gray.el,..pi..Je
24. Log of well from ground level:
F»«t Feet
_ 0 _ to 1Fill
F )R SKETCH
to
to
31 Loose fine send ar.
84 « n it
84 to _ 93 Clay ^ew s^nd ^tre- \s
93 to HO Coarse sand ana fins ?
__ll.p _ to 115 Coarse .sand
115 tn US Yellow clay
««..,....r....... IV ............... . .......................Jt. ,.
' 118 to 148 Gre-y clay (joint *••:')_
to
160 Fine sand'
.MO to
.175 to
.M5 to
. fine
J.90 to 200 lied, coarse -^.nd ,
200
to
210 Fine sand^ tr^ce o;' -n
blarn casin-.
.210 to
to ...... 23.5.
to
to
....
silty brov/n sand
to
to
25. Remarks:
20"
nice
-30' of
16" S.
23
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APPENDIX B
Methane Gas Problem at the Quaker Oats Plant
A methane gas problem created by the landfill developed in the basement
of the Quaker Oats Company plant bakery. Upon ignition, gas would burn from
cracks in the concrete floor of this building. On April 14, 1967, a sample of
gas was collected from a 2-foot diameter manhole (dry well No. 2) in the base-
ment of the bakery section of the plant (735-feet elevation). This well had been
about 6-feet deep with a sand bottom, but was later filled with sand. A 6-foot
section of the 1/2-inch pipe with the lower 1-1/2 feet perforated with 1/8-inch
holes was driven to the bottom. The gas sample was collected at the top of
the pipe. The gas chromatograph showed a high level of methane (Table Bl).
To enable a comparison, and to check the methane source, a 12-foot deep hole
(741-feet elevation) with 3-inch casing was drilled in the landfill about 180 feet
and across a road from the Quaker Oats manhole, and a gas sample was taken
(Table Bl). This sample showed even higher methane gas concentration. When
the top of the pipe was ignited, a 1- to 2-foot flame resulted. No explosions
or fire damages resulted from methane concentrations at the Quaker Oats plant.
Evidently, venting pipes were placed through the landfill and corrected the
problem.
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TABLE Bl
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE
METHANE LEVELS, APRIL 14, 1967
Gas
c°2
°2
N2
Methane
Total
BTU/ft3 at 760 mm, 60°F
Gross
Net
Specific gravity
Calculated
Determined
Quaker Oats Company
Manhole No. 2
basement of bakery plant
32. 8%
0.7%
27. 2%
39. 3%
100. 0%
398
358
0.98
0.95
City landfill property
gas vent well
36.1%
0.1%
0.4%
63.4%
100. 0%
642
578
0.90
0.85
ya1286
SW-517
25
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