SOUTH MACOMB DISPOSAL AUTHORITY #9, 9A
ST. CLAIR SHORES, OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN
The South Macomb Disposal Authority (SMDA) National Priorities List site is located in Macomb County, Michigan. It consists of two non-operating adjacent landfills. From the late 1960's until the mid 1970's the landfills were operated as a municipal waste center for several towns in southern Macomb County. During site operation, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) alleged that leachate created from waste deposited in portions of two of the three aquifers beneath the site had entered McBride Drain (a surface water body adjacent to the landfill) and overflowed onto adjoining residential property. The leachate also migrated further into groundwater aquifers. Recurring leachate seepage and complaints about fish kills in McBride Drain prompted an investigation in 1976 by the MDNR. It is unclear whether the fish kills were ever verified.
In 1982, residents near the landfill complained that leachate had begun to seep into area basements. In 1983 and 1984, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were detected in several residential wells. The residents were advised not to drink the water from these wells. Since that time, low levels of VOCs have been detected in additional residential wells on several occasions.
Interim remediation activities at and around the site have included the installation of a leachate collection system, a slurry wall, and the connection of most area residences to a municipal water supply.
The primary human exposure pathway of concern for this site is past and potential current and future exposure to contaminated groundwater via ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact. A small risk for future exposure to contaminated surface water via the dermal and inhalation routes exists. Physical hazards, such as old, rusty, appliances are located on the unrestricted site. In addition, investigators suggest that the analysis of soil gas samples from on and off the site indicate the potential presence of methane gas.
Based on available information, ATSDR has concluded that the South Macomb Disposal Authority Site is a public health hazard because evidence exists that exposures have occurred, may potentially be occurring, and may occur in the future. However, this site is not being considered for follow-up health activities at this time because: 1) proposed remedial activities will address the issues of potential current and future exposures, 2) a previously recommended health survey was declined, and 3) community health education has occurred.
The South Macomb Disposal Authority (SMDA) site is located in Macomb Township, Macomb County approximately 17 miles north-northeast of Detroit, Michigan (Figure 1). The site is approximately 159 acres and consists of two adjacent former municipal landfills (Sites 9 and 9A). Site 9 is a 75-acre rectangular tract on the eastern side of the site. Site 9A is an 84-acre rectangular tract west of Site 9. The entire site surface rises approximately six to eight feet above the original land surface and is relatively flat with shallow depressions and short ridges. The SMDA site is bordered on the north by 24 Mile Road, on the east by Card Road, and on the south and west by McBride Drain. McBride Drain, an open channel, receives site runoff and flows south-southeast where it joins the north branch of the Clinton River about one and one-half miles away. The site is minimally restricted. There is no fence except for the main entrance, allowing easy access for vehicles.
The SMDA acquired land for waste disposal activities from local citizens in the late 1960's. The sites received municipal wastes from the cities located in southern Macomb County (including East Detroit, Roseville, St. Clair Shores, Warren, and Centerline) and other sources including educational facilities. Prior to landfilling activities, sand and gravel mining took place from the late 1940s through the 1950s primarily in the northern and central portion of Site 9.
Approximately 680,000 cubic yards of municipal wastes were disposed of in approximately 65 of the 75 acres of Site 9 between the years 1968 and 1971 (1). The remaining 10 acres were used as perimeter buffer zones around the site. Wastes included general refuse, garbage, and rubbish and were placed either directly into the former mining pits or into trenches excavated by the SMDA.
While Site 9 was operating, regulatory agencies raised concerns about inadequate site drainage. The agencies contended that wastes were being placed into pits where groundwater had accumulated. This practice violated the landfill requirement that at least two feet of soil be maintained between the water table and buried wastes. The SMDA contended that the collected water was rainwater and not groundwater seepage; and reportedly constructed drainage ditches along the south, east, and west sides of the landfill to direct surface runoff away from the site. The design called for the ditches to discharge into McBride Drain. The drainage system was not completed until much of Site 9 was filled. When filling activity was completed in 1971, the area was capped with soil. Reviews by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) indicate that the cover was not two feet of clay as required by the Michigan Solid Waste Management Act, Public Act 641 of 1978 (MSWA 641) (2).
Filling in Site 9A commenced upon closure of Site 9. Approximately 1,200,000 cubic yards of wastes were placed there before it was closed in 1975. About 80 of the 84 acres were used for disposal purposes with the remaining four acres used as buffers along the northern and western sides of the site. Original designs for Site 9A planned for the installation of an underdrain and a subsurface clay "dike" along the northern boundary to minimize the inflow of groundwater into Site 9A. According to MDNR officials, the local waste water treatment facilities have not issued permits because SMDA has failed to pretreat the groundwater (2). Surface water runoff was to be inhibited by drainage ditches along the north and south sides of the landfill and by the use of the old western drainage ditch for Site 9. All runoff presumably flowed south towards McBride Drain. In 1975, at completion of the filling operations, Site 9A was reportedly covered with two feet of mixed soils.
During site operation, the MDNR alleged that leachate from the landfills, both Site 9 and Site 9A, had seeped into McBride Drain, overflowed onto adjoining property, and had possibly resulted in area groundwater contamination. Several leachate outbreaks were verified by MDNR officials. Leachate was reportedly first observed in McBride Drain in 1971 and then later noted by MDNR inspectors in 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, and 1983 (1,3). Recurring leachate seepage and fish kill complaints prompted an investigation in 1976 by the MDNR. An MDNR official stated that one of the fish kill complaints was made by a resident who lived a half a mile downstream of the SMDA Site. It is unclear whether the fish kills were ever verified (4). MDNR increased the pressure on SMDA to improve site leachate management systems.
From 1977 through 1981, the SMDA implemented erosion control measures, tilled, regraded, and covered the landfill surface. In 1980, a leachate collection system was installed along the south-central portion of Site 9A. Another collection system was installed along the northern portion of Site 9A. The leachate is removed from the collection systems and reportedly transported off-site three times a week to a wastewater treatment plant. MDNR, however, has had reports that the leachate collected from the site is disposed into sewage manholes (3).
In 1982, a resident discovered a reddish orange sludge-like material on the floor of a hand dug cellar which was subject to groundwater infiltration on a regular basis. Concerns were raised about the possibility that the source of the "ooze" was toxic landfill leachate. Low level organic contaminants were detected in water samples from the sump area. In addition, a scientist from Wayne State University tested the "ooze" and concluded that its presence was attributed to the high iron content of the shallow groundwater and iron-loving bacterial growths (e.g. Gallionella ferrugina). The same kind of reddish growths were found in McBride Drain upstream from the landfill (3).
In October 1982, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected in an area crock well. A crock well is a large diameter hand dug well usually between 10-15 feet deep which obtains water from shallow groundwater seepage. However, this well was not used for drinking water. In December 1983 and August 1984, VOCs were detected by the Michigan Department of Public Health (MDPH) in several residential wells. The residents with impacted wells were advised not to drink their water. Bottled water was provided to these residences shortly after the determination of contamination.
In 1983, a resident near the landfill died. A review of the autopsy by a consultant for the family partially related the cause of death to contaminants from the site. This opinion was not supported by numerous other reviewers, including the Michigan Toxic Substance Control Commission (MTSCC).
In 1985, residents near the landfill obtained a court order requiring the construction of a gravity driven leachate collection system on Site 9 similar to the existing Site 9A systems. By late 1988, a third leachate collection system along with a slurry wall was built along the northern edge of Site 9. This wall is approximately 40 feet deep and is keyed into a clay hardpan to prevent off-site migration of leachate to the north. Leachate is removed from the southeast end of the leachate collection system at regular intervals. Two collection points are located along the eastern side of Site 9a. An additional point which reportedly does not function properly is located on the northern end of the Site 9.
Evaluation activities have been conducted by several different parties since landfill closure. These investigations have included collection of air, soil and water samples for both physical and chemical parameter analysis.
The June 1986 placement of the SMDA site on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Priorities List (NPL) commenced Federal regulatory and public health involvement at this site. SMDA's inclusion on the NPL was partially due to the proximity of the site to domestic water supplies and historic information on domestic well water quality. The Circuit Court of Macomb County ordered the SMDA to conduct a preliminary hydro-geological study of the soil, surface water, and groundwater surrounding the landfill in August 1986. The study, completed in 1987 Neyer, Tiseo, and Hindo, Ltd., was found incomplete by the MTSCC. Shortly afterwards the EPA requested that a Remedial Investigation/ Feasibility Study (RI/FS) be conducted. The RI/FS was finalized by EPA on August 23, 1990.
In May 1991, the citizens won a suit against the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs). The judgement stated that the PRPs were to be responsible for remediating the site (5). The remediation is to include:
The PRPs have since appealed the original court order and have refused to proceed with the scheduled remediation.
The EPA released a revised proposed plan of remediation focusing on the groundwater operable unit. This Proposed Remediation Plan was presented to the community at a public meeting held on May 6, 1991. ATSDR Headquarters and Regional staff and a MDPH representative were present at this meeting.
The Record of Decision for the remediation of the groundwater operable unit (OU) was signed on August 13, 1991. Negotiations on management of clean up for this OU were suspended due to failure of the PRPs to respond to an EPA proposal. EPA transferred the enforcement lead for the remediation of the OU to MDNR.
In the late 1980's under the authority of the Michigan Environmental Response Act, Public Act 307 of 1982 as amended, MDPH entered into a contractual agreement with Macomb Township to provide municipal water connections to all homes for a distance of 1/2 mile east and west of the site on 24 Mile Road and all of Card Road between 23 and 24 Mile Roads.
In August 1987, ATSDR Regional Representative, Denise Jordan-Izaguirre conducted a site visit and attended a meeting with the community. On Wednesday, August 1, 1990, an additional site visit was conducted by ATSDR Headquarters Representative, Victoria Carter and Regional Representative Denise Jordan-Izaguirre. Representatives of the EPA, the MDPH, the MDNR, the SMDA, and the Macomb County Health Department were also in attendance.
During the site visit, work crews were observed along Card Road installing municipal water supply lines. Numerous residences are located adjacent to the site. These privately owned properties, including several farms, border all sides of the site except a portion of the south side where a golf course is located. The majority of the homes are located directly north and east of the site along 24 Mile and Card Roads. A small cemetery is located in the northeast corner of Site 9 in an area of higher elevation. The entrance off of 24 Mile Road is partially restricted by a gate with a lock. The remainder of the site is not restricted.
The terrain of most of Site 9 and parts of Site 9A was sparsely vegetated and several ponds of standing water from rain on the previous day were present. The west side of Site 9A was covered in wetland vegetation such as cattails, willows, and tall, thick weeds. A steep, narrow trench divides Sites 9 and 9A and provides runoff control for the central section of the landfill area. A portion of the golf course is separated from the southern end of the landfill by McBride Drain, grass, weeds, and trees.
The EPA gave an overview of site activities to date and reviewed options for future remediation. During the site visit a 6,000 gallon tank truck which collects leachate from the systems three times a week was observed hooking up to one of the leachate collection systems. Surface erosion was evident along the perimeter of the landfill, but there were no signs of leachate. A dry, well formed drainage bed extended from the landfill to McBride Drain. A perimeter drainage ditch surrounded the site and erosion channels ran along the southern side of Site 9A and discharged into McBride Drain. [Officials from MDNR report the perimeter drainage ditch is no longer continuous. (3)] A child was observed playing around and jumping over an off-site section of the drain. On the southern side of the site were many deer tracks indicating that wildlife had been in the area. Numerous clay cappings were present in this area. These cappings are part of the effort by the SMDA to control leachate breakouts. Site visit participants also observed the grassy ridge which covered the top of the slurry wall along the north side of Site 9.
The participants also met with a resident living and farming adjacent to the north side of Site 9A and the west side of Site 9. The resident showed pictures of previous leachate breakout areas and orange colored soil on his property and talked about the history of his problems with the landfill. These problems include vehicular traffic, hunting, and illegal dumping at night due to the site not being properly secured.
On May 6, 1991, Victoria Carter, Rosalyn Lee, and Region V Representative, Denise
Jordan-Izaguirre travelled to Michigan to attend a public meeting organized by Region V EPA. A
MDPH representative also attended this meeting and addressed many of the citizen's questions
and concerns. ATSDR's presence at this meeting served a dual purpose: 1) to answer any
questions the public had on the public health assessment process and 2) to gather information on
community health concerns associated with the site. These concerns are incorporated into the
Community Health Concerns Section of this public health assessment.
DEMOGRAPHICS, LAND USE, AND NATURAL RESOURCE USE
Demographic information on race, gender, age, household, and income is included in Appendix A. This 1990 data was obtained from the Bureau of the Census.
Macomb Township is a 36 square mile rural area approximately 17 miles north-northeast of Detroit, Michigan. Macomb Township has experienced an annual population growth of approximately four to five percent in the past decade. The township is currently undergoing an annual population growth of approximately two percent. This growth may be attributed to increases in urbanization that have occurred in the southwest area of Macomb County and to the east in Chesterfield County. Since landfill closure, physical growth in the vicinity of the site has been limited to development of a golf course in the early to mid 1980s along the southern border of the site; and construction of several new homes since 1986. Prior to July 1986 there were an estimated 73 residences (including several farms) within a one mile radius of the site. This estimation was based on a windshield survey by MDPH and cross referencing with listings from "Bressers Cross Index Directory 1985-86." These privately owned properties border all sides of the site.
There are two elementary schools located within a two mile radius of the site. There are not any facilities within two miles of the site that would be occupied by persons with compromised health, such as hospitals or nursing homes. The nearest hospitals are located approximately five or six miles southwest and south of the site in Clinton Township and Mount Clemens.
Past and present land use in the area of the site can be classified as farming, rural residential, and recreational. Macomb County is located in a region of Michigan that was once covered by glacial lakes. The glacial history of the site area created its suitability for agricultural uses. The primary agricultural products in the area are vegetables, grains, and landscaping sod. One farm adjacent to the landfill produces corn, broccoli, soybeans, turnip greens, and eggplants.
The glacial lake conditions of the past created the large amounts of sand that were mined in the site. The resulting sand pits were often filled with refuse and used as landfills, as was Site 9. There is only one landfill within two miles of SMDA Sites 9 and 9A. Macomb County has 67 contaminated waste sites listed on the Michigan Environmental Response Act Inventory of 1991. There are also two NPL sites located in Shelby Township which is located in west central Macomb County.
The EPA maintains the Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI), a database of over 320 different toxic substances released from facilities into the environment. The TRI was searched for additional information on the area surrounding the landfill. The closest facility reporting toxic releases was located in the neighboring town of Mount Clemens approximately six miles south of the site.
McBride Drain, an open channel bordering the site on the south and west, receives a portion of Site 9 and 9A runoff. Drainage from the west side of Site 9A flows into a soybean field. However, a ditch on the south side of 9A allows some drainage to McBride Drain. A swampy area is located between the southern part of Site 9 and McBride Drain. A shallow ditch lies between the eastern part of Site 9 and northern part of Site 9A. A berm is located at the northern end of Site 9.
During and after site operations, the MDNR alleged that leachate had seeped into McBride Drain. Fish kills were reported to the MDNR in 1976. McBride Drain flows south-southeast where it joins the northern branch of the Clinton River about one and a half miles from the site. Both McBride Drain and the North Branch of the Clinton River are used for recreational and agricultural purposes. Neither body of water has fishing restrictions imposed upon it due to chemical contamination. A farm approximately one half mile south of the site along 23 Mile Road utilizes water from McBride Drain for crop irrigation. The golf course bordering the site also uses water from McBride Drain for irrigation purposes. The area around the site is used heavily by local deer hunters.
At the present time, the use of contaminated groundwater appears unlikely but cannot be ruled out. In December 1991, a survey was conducted in cooperation with the MDPH and the Macomb County Department of Public Health. The survey determined that of the total number of residences having private wells, 15 were not receiving water bills. The residences not connected to the municipal water system were located on 23 Mile, 24 Mile, Foss and Card Roads. Sampling of these wells was conducted at frequencies varying between one month to a year between 1982-91. Four wells on 23 Mile Road showed no detects on all sampling events. These wells are in a geographic area where impact from the site is considered highly unlikely. Ten wells on 24 Mile and Foss Roads also showed no detects on all sampling events. These wells are either up gradient from the site or are not expected to be impacted by the site (5a). The one remaining residence was on 24 Mile Road and had two wells where organics such as methylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, and freon type compounds were detected. This residence has since been abandoned and razed and the wells are not in use (5a, 6). All residences thought to be potentially impacted by the site were provided bottled water until municipal water connections were made available. Those residents who continue to use private wells are either outside of the expected impact area or do not want a municipal water connection due to ongoing litigation or personal reasons (5a).
Contaminants were detected in other residential wells in the vicinity (e.g. Card Road). ATSDR, however, was informed that these wells were not covered by the settlement for municipal water hookup because it was not likely that the contamination was related to the landfill. Connections to municipal water was optional for these residents (4). Information provided by the Macomb County Health Department (MCHD) indicated that the majority of wells still in use before March 1990 were crock wells. Crock wells do not meet public health codes and should not be used for drinking water (8).
At the May 1991 public meeting two individuals, living on Card and Foss Roads in residences
not hooked up to municipal water, indicated they were receiving bottled water for drinking, but
were using well water for domestic purposes such as bathing. The individual living on Foss
Road stated that he would discontinue use of bottled water for personal reasons, attach a filter
and resume use of his well until he was connected to municipal water.
Health data for the vicinity of the SMDA site and for Macomb County is available from a variety of sources. The sources reviewed are:
Community health concerns associated with the site include: cases of apparent increased liver enzyme levels; the health of children; cancer deaths; general recurring health problems; loss of animals and stunted crops due to contamination; possible endangerment to animals living adjacent to the site and possible exposure to contaminants during remediation activities. Citizens also raised concerns about the lack of accurate and available information regarding site-related activities.
Area residents have been concerned about contaminants from the landfill possibly causing elevated liver enzyme levels. Several residents had their liver enzyme levels tested in the early 1980s.
Two residents conducted a "Death Survey" in 1986. They listed area residents who had died between the years 1972 and 1985. The cause of death is indicated, including six cancer related deaths. Residents are troubled by the belief that contamination from the landfill may have contributed to these deaths. In addition, the autopsy report of one resident created a controversy over the actual cause of death. Some residents suspect that landfill contamination was responsible for the death and sought a consultant's opinion on the pathological findings.
Citizens have documented a variety of health problems they believe may have been caused by exposure to the landfill. These include persistent colds, abnormal and prolonged swelling due to insect stings, severe rashes with the skin falling off of one individual, ear infections, headaches, eye irritation, stiff joints, and hair loss in six people, including a three year old child. Residents living adjacent to the landfill who have children are concerned about their children's health because access to the site is not restricted. One citizen is concerned about the worry and stress of living near the landfill.
Citizens continue to allege that leachate, which has been documented in the past as occasionally flowing from the landfill onto residential lawns, crops, and into basements, continues to do so. One resident says the problem is worse in the springtime due to annual flooding and has pictures documenting the leachate problem on his cropland from 1976 to the present. Since crops are grown directly adjacent to the landfill, residents are concerned that contaminants may be introduced into the food chain by the leachate. In early 1983, a local plant nursery reported stunting of tomato plants and leaf silvering. Cadmium, thallium, and zinc were reported by citizens to have been at elevated levels in green peppers and green tomatoes in the early 1980s.
Several calves that reportedly grazed in a leachate contaminated pasture developed abnormal growths on their legs which caused them to lose the ability to stand properly. The calves later died. Also reported were mortalities of fish and other small animals, such as dogs, cats, and ducks in the site vicinity. Area citizens allege that the illnesses and deaths were caused by exposure to contaminants from the landfill.
Concerns expressed by citizens, which cannot be addressed by ATSDR include declining property values, ongoing legal suits, expenses incurred to hook up to municipal water, and disturbances caused by vehicular traffic on the site at night.
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