PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
BARKHAMSTED-NEW HARTFORD LANDFILL
BARKHAMSTED, LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT
The Barkhamsted-New Hartford Landfill (BLS) has been operating since 1974 as an unlined landfill. The 97.8 acre property contains a 10 acre municipal landfill which also functions as a recycling and reclamation center (1). From April of 1974 to August of 1988, BLS was used for solid waste disposal, and received municipal and industrial waste including but not limited to oily sludge, metal grindings, and degreasers (solvents) (2). This sludge contained cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, nickel, and zinc, as well as solvents. The Barkhamsted-New Hartford Landfill also conducted a barrel crushing operation from which reclaimed metals were obtained (3). Bulky waste continued to be accepted for disposal until October of 1993.
On October 4, 1989, the Barkhamsted-New Hartford Landfill was placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On December 16, 1991, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) completed an interim preliminary health assessment. The interim preliminary health assessment concluded that the Barkhamsted-New Hartford Landfill Site was an indeterminate public health hazard. At that time insufficient data were available to determine whether exposure to contaminated groundwater at levels of public health concern occurred. The interim preliminary health assessment recommended additional environmental sampling to further characterize the extent and magnitude of contamination.
A remedial investigation (RI) was conducted at the site between October of 1992 and October of 1993. The RI included sampling of residential drinking water wells, air, groundwater, surface soil, surface water, leachate seeps, and sediments.
A community group was formed in the 1980's: Barkhamsted Residents Acting to Conserve the Environment (BRACE). Community concerns in the past included: odor complaints, migrations of site-related contaminants, and the potential for private well contamination. The community group is now disbanded and citizens' concerns appear to be greatly reduced.
Employees who drank water from the Barkhamsted Landfill office well (up to four years) or from the Barkhamsted Town Garage, (up to four years) were exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). All exposures to site-related contaminants in these wells represent no apparent public health hazard. The exposure period for the landfill office well was approximately 1980 - 1984 (well closing date). The exposure period for the Town Garage well was approximately 1986 - 1990, when an alternative water source was initiated.
Private well sampling was first conducted in 1988, and private well quarterly monitoring program is ongoing. No wells were identified with VOCs. Two wells contained arsenic, antimony, and selenium, however these levels represent no apparent public health hazard. The CT DPH will continue to review monitoring reports from the three private wells nearest the landfill that are included in the quarterly monitoring program.
Low levels of contaminants detected in the surface soil of the landfill have also been detected in surface soil of two adjacent properties. However, these low levels represent no apparent public health hazard to either young children, older children, or adults.
Lead was detected in water from five private homes. The source of lead is probably from plumbing fixtures in the individual homes not their well water. Therefore the potential exists for persons to be exposed to lead through ingestion.
Based on the above information, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the Connecticut Department of Public Health have concluded that this site represent No Apparent Public Health Hazard. No follow-up health activities have been recommended for this site.
A. SITE DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY
The Barkhamsted-New Hartford Landfill Site (BLS) is a National Priorities List (NPL) Superfund hazardous waste site located in the towns of Barkhamsted and New Hartford, Litchfield County, Connecticut (1). This site currently operates under a Solid Waste Disposal Facility permit issued by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP). Regional Refuse Disposal District number one (RRDD #1) owns the property on which the landfill is located (1). RRDD #1 is a waste disposal district developed in September of 1970 for use by the following communities: Barkhamsted, Colebrook, New Hartford, and Winchester.
From April of 1974 to August of 1988, BLS was used for solid waste disposal and received municipal and industrial waste including but not limited to oily sludge, metal grindings, and degreasers (solvents) (2). This sludge contained cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, nickel, and zinc, as well as solvents. The Barkhamsted Landfill had a barrel crushing operation from 1982 through 1984 (1) from which reclaimed metals were obtained. In addition, the BLS has been an active metal and paper recycling center since 1974. The landfill ceased accepting waste in October of 1993. Presently, the BLS functions only as a transfer station and recycling center. The items included for recycling include: antifreeze, automotive batteries, box-board, cardboard, drycell batteries, food containers, grass clippings, junk mail, leaves, magazines, newspaper, office paper, old clothes, telephone books, tire tubes, tires, and waste oil (4).
The BLS consists of 97.8 acres, (10 acres of which is the landfill itself), and is located on a northward and eastward sloping hill, with the highest elevation above mean sea level located on the south-west portion. Several springs are reported to be buried under the landfill (2). An unnamed Brook is located along the west and northern periphery of the site. Active seeps and leachate from the landfill have been identified along the southwestern border near the unnamed Brook. This brook flows through a wetland area and into the Farmington River. The area where the landfill is located is heavily wooded. A state road is located several hundred yards south of the landfill. (See Appendix A for the site location map).
Access to the BLS site is partially restricted to vehicular traffic, but not to pedestrians (4). A paved access road serves as the limited entrance point for the landfill. A portion of the site is fenced. Access to the remainder of the site is difficult due to the heavily wooded terrain surrounding the landfill. The site operates as an active public recycling center and is open to the public only during special times. Within the landfill, the public is restricted to specific areas which exclude areas known to be contaminated (5).
Two drinking water wells have been contaminated with site-related contaminants. The first detection of well water contamination was in September of 1982. One of the wells, the landfill office well (located on-site), was subsequently closed in 1984 by the Farmington Valley Health District. The closure consisted solely of electrically disconnecting the power from the well pump (6). The other contaminated well, located at the Barkhamsted Town Garage (located off-site), is not being used for drinking, and bottled water is currently used as the potable water supply. Although this well is not closed, a posted sign advises against drinking water from that well. Well water reportedly is used for industrial purposes only.
The EPA has developed a list of hazardous waste sites throughout the country that meet eligibility requirements to obtain federal funding to assist investigation and cleanup under the Superfund program. This list is known as the National Priorities List (NPL). The Barkhamsted Landfill Site was proposed for inclusions on the NPL on June 21, 1988, and on October 4, 1989, was listed as an NPL site (1). Figure 1. highlights the chronology of activities conducted at the Barkhamsted Landfill Site.
Figure 1.
Chronology of Activities at Barkhamsted Landfill Site (1970 - Present) (1)
| Date | Activity |
| September 1970 | Refuse Disposal District number one formed |
| September 1972 | CT DEP solid waste permit issued |
| September 1972 | RRDD #1 bought the landfill property from Town of Barkhamsted |
| May 1974 | Landfill became fully operational |
| 1974 - 1979 | Problems recorded concerning lack of daily cover for the landfill |
| 1970s | Chemical pit operational, received oily sludge, metal grindings, and degreasers |
| April 1974 - August 1988 | Solid waste disposal period |
| 1980 | CT DEP site inspection |
| 1981 | EPA conducts preliminary assessment of the site |
| March 1981 | CT DEP requests RRDD #1 eliminate hazardous waste from site |
| July 1981 | CT DEP approved metal grindings waste disposal at RRDD #1 |
| 1982 | Farmington Valley Health Department conducted on-site drinking water well testing. |
| 1983 | Two complaints noted regarding the large number of drums at landfill (by CT DEP) |
| April 1983 | CT DEP requests 25 drums removed to paved area on-site |
| November 1983 | Discovery of 30 drums near scrap metal area |
| 1984 | Farmington Valley Health Department ordered the on-site well serving landfill office shut down due to contamination. |
| 1987 | EPA conducts site inspection |
| November - December 1988 | Solid waste disposal at RRDD #1, as Mid-CT Waste to Energy Plant was unable to process waste during this period |
| August 1988 - October 1993 | Allowed disposal items: bulky and non-processible waste only |
| 1988 | CT DEP determines that 50 percent of drums received at the site contained unknown quantities of chlorinated hydrocarbons or methyl ethyl ketone. |
| February 1990 | RRDD#1 allowed to accept dewatered sludge from Winsted Publicly Owned Treatment Works |
| October 1993 | BLS ceased accepting waste |
| January 1995 | CT DEP approved the landfill closure. |
Three site visits were conducted at the Barkhamsted Landfill Site (April 6, 1992, October 17, 1994, and April 23, 1996).
Site visit 1:
The following observations were made:
The landfill manager expressed concern about an area to the south of the landfill office where leachate seeps down the landfill bank were evident. A berm was present that was designed to trap leachate. This trap had evidence of discolored leachate and stained soil. The trap flows east along the bank into a storm drain. The storm drain pipe travels north below the working surface and drains down an embankment into the unnamed brook. Workers were replacing a part of the broken pipe and may have come in contact with contaminated soil and leachate.
Leachate seeps were evident on the northeast toe of the landfill. Areas of stained soil and grass were observed.
Monitoring well 110 was viewed at the northwest toe.
In the area where sedimentation basin 2 is located, there was a large empty abandoned tank. This tank was used previously for water storage and fire fighting purposes. This area also contained a wood pile, a small pile of metals, and other materials.
Metal grindings were observed on the road surface along the southern portion of the landfill.
The site visit proceeded along the unnamed brook. Monitoring well 107 was viewed and leachate seep was noted south of the well. There were heavy leachate seeps observed near monitoring well 106.
The drum crushing area behind the landfill office was in the process of being cleaned up.
The site visit proceeded to a railroad bridge. There were heavy leachate seeps in this area. The unnamed brook travels under this bridge. A fence was observed in this area, just north of the bridge.
Odors were noticed near the fence. The odors were possibly from VOCs.
The site visit proceeded to the sand and gravel pit. Two active seeps were observed in the gravel pit, as well as areas of stained soil and sand.
Landfill access seems limited by terrain.
General public does not have access to the area behind the landfill office.
A full time worker has been assigned to monitor dumping activities.
Site visit 2:
The following observations were made:
Access to the BLS site is restricted. The entrance to the landfill is limited to a paved access road. Town residents must stop at a guard house before proceeding into the landfill. A guard house representative directs the residents to the correct disposal locations for each class of household waste. Additionally, a transfer station house attendant informs the public about which bin recyclable waste should be deposited.
The former drum crushing zone was examined. This area now houses the phone book recycling storage unit. The ground contained an abundance of crushed glass. The landfill office is located east of the drum crushing area. A leachate collection ditch is located southwest of the landfill office by approximately 100 feet.
Seepage was observed in several locations during the site visit. The color of the seepage was reddish brown. One seepage area was noted adjacent to the landfill office. The seepage from this area flowed into a collection basin. The site visit proceeded up the landfill dirt road where various areas of wet soil were noted with brown discoloration and intermittent sheens. Rain water, seepage, or both filled many deep tire tracks.
The unnamed brook is located along the eastern portion of the landfill. Sediment located within the Brook was reddish brown in color, and sections on the surface of the brook contained a sheen.
A drainage discharge outflow pipe was actively discharging liquid into the unnamed brook. The discharge contained an opaque sheen. An unlocked, open chain linked fence was located in this area. Adjacent to this area were active sources of seepage. The color of this discharge was brown and the flow was directly out of the hillside into the unnamed brook.
The site visit proceeded up the main access road towards the highest point on the landfill. An area of dried brownish discoloration appeared along one portion of this paved road. This discoloration was identified as seepage by the CT DEP representative.
The unused well which formerly served the office was observed in an uncapped condition.
Adjacent to the landfill is an active sand and gravel pit. There were two seepage areas observed within this pit. On the two seepage areas the gravel is reddish brown in color; a possible indication of contamination. This area is accessible to all workers at the gravel pit. One construction vehicle was parked at the edge of this seepage area, and the rear left tire contained reddish brown discoloration similar to the seepage.
Site visit 3:
The unnamed brook exits the landfill area and runs under Route 44. The Brook then runs parallel to Route 44. Access to the unnamed brook after going under Route 44 is difficult. There is a steep gradient leading from the highway down approximately 30 feet to the heavily wooded area where the unnamed brook runs. The heavily wooded area contained about five soda and beer cans.
A community group was formed in the 1980's: Barkhamsted Residents Acting to Conserve the Environment (BRACE). This community group has been disbanded, and the past leader of BRACE currently feels that there are no public health concerns associated with the site (7). Past concerns include the following:
| - | Reports of odor complaints by area residents from time to time. |
| - | Concern was raised about runoff coming through a resident's property and the possible association with a cancer diagnosis. |
| - | A resident reported dizziness and loss of balance in the resident's spouse and occasional severe diarrhea in the resident's spouse, in the resident's in-law and in the resident. |
| - | A resident expressed concern regarding migration of contaminants off the site that were allegedly responsible for damaging fruit trees. |
| - | One citizen expressed concern that the contaminated plume may reach a school. |
An incident occurred in late spring of 1983, in which a contractor complained of nausea, headaches, and dizziness while collecting leachate and surface water samples from the unnamed brook bordering the site. This was corroborated by Farmington Valley Health Department officials through a telephone conversation. An investigation was subsequently performed by the local health department who failed to uncover any further information about this incident. In another incident (spring/summer 1983) three beavers were found dead off the site. It was suggested that runoff from the landfill may have been responsible. No further information was reported. Since that time, there have been no further incidents reported to officials.
In a Preliminary Public Health Assessment conducted in 1991 (2), no follow-up health actions were proposed by the ATSDR Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP). This determination was based on the following conclusions made at that time: (a) no current exposures were occurring to site contaminants at a level of public health concern; and (b) no recent community health concerns had been expressed. An evaluation of available health outcome data is not indicated at this time, because the conclusions listed in the Preliminary Public Health Assessment remain accurate.
E. DEMOGRAPHICS, LAND USE, AND NATURAL RESOURCE USE
The site is located in northwestern Connecticut in the towns of Barkhamsted and New Hartford. This area is sparsely populated and somewhat rural. The approximate size of the population within a 3-mile radius of the site is 4,100 (8). The nearest residence is approximately 700 feet from the site. A significant amount of this area is used for recreational purposes (e.g., fishing, boating, hiking, and swimming). The town of Barkhamsted, CT has a population of approximately 3,300 people based on the 1990 Census (8). Nine percent of the population is under the age of six. Eighteen percent of the population is between the ages of six and nineteen. Sixty percent of the population is between the ages of twenty and fifty-nine. Thirteen percent of the population is over the age of fifty-nine. The town of New Hartford, CT has a population of approximately 4,400 people based on the 1990 Census (8). Eleven percent of the population is under the age of six. Sixteen percent of the population is between the ages of six and nineteen. Sixty-one percent of the population is between the ages of twenty and fifty-nine. Twelve percent of the population is over the age of fifty-nine.
The area around BLS is heavily wooded. An unnamed brook runs along the landfill and originates south of the landfill. The unnamed brook flows in a northerly direction along the west side of the landfill. The unnamed brook then flows northeast on-site, then under Route 44. The unnamed brook flows into the Farmington River after flowing under Route 44. Landfill discharges enter the unnamed brook at three locations. The first discharge location is a 42-inch diameter pipe which empties runoff from the upper access road on the landfill. The next discharge area is from a culvert located west of the recycling area. This discharge area includes runoff from the areas near the recycling section and the landfill office. The third discharge point is a 24-inch pipe 170 feet north west of the Barkhamsted Town Garage. The discharge from this area includes runoff from the lower access road and the Barkhamsted Town Garage.
Approximately 2 miles southeast of the site is the New Hartford Water Company municipal supply well. The estimated population served by this well is 1,740. The water is mixed with surface water, prior to distribution (9). The surface water is obtained from the Barkhamsted Reservoir located about 2.3 miles from the site. There are approximately 800 homes located within a three mile radius of the site that have private wells (9).
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