ramapo landfill

RTE 59

The Ramapo Landfill, covering 96 acres, opened in 1972. In 1978, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) denied the landfill operators an operating permit because of an incomplete permit application and violations of state codes, since the municipal landfill had reportedly received sludge from a cosmetic company, sludge-like material from a pharmaceutical company, and paint sludges from an automobile manufacturer, as well as wastes from other facilities. In addition, unauthorized dumping may have occurred at the landfill. In 1980, about 50 drums containing an unknown waste were found near the landfill. The Town of Ramapo constructed a leachate collection system along the downgradient edge of the landfill in 1984 and 1985. Surface water and leachate were conveyed to an on-site wastewater treatment pond, allowed to settle and aerate, and discharged to the Ramapo River. Beginning in 1990, the wastewater was discharged to the Village of Suffern Wastewater Treatment Plan via a sewer line. In 1996, the pond was replaced by a direct hook up to a force main for off-site treatment/disposal of the extracted contaminated ground water at the Rockland County Sewer District No.1 treatment facility. A 250,000 gallon leachate storage tank was constructed (within the footprint of the former leachate holding pond) to hold contaminated water at the landfill during peak flow conditions. The leachate storage facility and secondary containment area resulted in about a 0.3-acre loss of a wetland area. An equivalent area of wetlands was constructed south of the leachate storage pond. Historical ground water quality data show the presence of various metals and organics. Approximately 50,000 people reside within 3 miles of the site, while only about 200 people live within a mile. Four public water supply wells serving the Spring Valley Water Authority systems, which provide water to 200,000 users, are located within 1,500 feet west of the site, just across the Ramapo River. Site Responsibility: This site was addressed through federal, state, and municipal actions.

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• Vogel Paint & Wax Co. (Maurice, IA)
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• Potter's Septic Tank Service Pits (Maco, NC)
• Amoco Chemicals (joliet Landfill) (Joliet, IL)

• Michigan Disposal Service (cork Street Landfill) (Kalamazoo, MI)
• Hercules 009 Landfill (Brunswick, GA)
• Eielson Air Force Base (Fairbanks, AK)
• Utah Power & Light/american Barrel Co. (Salt Lake City, UT)