Private Landfill

[Ogier Dudley]

TheMadison County Solid Waste Committee is still exploring several long-term options - status quo; Madison County increasing tonnage and operations on their own; or partnering with either a public or private entity to increase tonnage and operations. At the March 26 meeting, the Committee resolved "based on a thorough and ongoing review of available options, the Board has determined that a public-private partnership is not currently the best available option and is no longer a course of action currently being pursued". The Board of Supervisors passed this resolution on April 9, 2024 and Chairman Pinard is accepting applications for people interested in being part of the Madison County Waste Management Advisory Committee. Please submit the application by April 26, 2024.

Madison County has worked diligently and dedicated the past two years to study and come up with a solution for the long-term sustainability of the Madison County Landfill operations. In late 2021, Madison County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to hire an engineering firm, Cornerstone Engineering and Geology, PLLC (Cornerstone), to offer a third-party opinion of the current operations and potential alternatives. Cornerstone released a final report of their findings and recommendations in February 2023.

The County evaluated the following alternatives to improve the long-term financial viability of the Solid Waste Department:

1) Status quo: County would continue current operations, with the implementation of some efficiency measures, such as closing some of the transfer stations and beginning to charge a fee for recyclables.

3) Public-Private Partnership: A public-private partnership for operation and maintenance of the Madison County Landfill, which is an advantageous, cost effective alternative. Madison County put out a request for proposals this past year and reviewed the submissions. As of March 26, 2024 the Solid Waste Committee says that based on a thorough and ongoing review of available options, the Board has determined that a public-private partnership is not currently the best available option and is no longer a course of action currently being pursued

4) Public-Public Partnership: This became an option in 2023 after another New York State county-run waste management operator responded with interest as part of the competitive RFP process. Additional review and analysis will be required if the Committee and Board decide this is a favored option for preservation.

5) Madison County Increases Volume of Waste: Madison County continues to operate the landfill, by accepting sufficient volumes of out-of-County waste to achieve profitability and long-term sustainability.

As part of New York State's Emerging Contaminant Sampling Initiative to investigate groundwater for emerging contaminants at new and legacy sites, DEC collected samples for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 1,4-dioxane in groundwater and private drinking water supply wells around the Armonk Private Wells site, a State Superfund site in Westchester County. DEC also conducted a preliminary assessment of PFAS and 1,4-dioxane at the Westchester Garden Center/Labriola Landfill (WGC Labriola Landfill) as part of New York State's Inactive Landfill Initiative. WGC Labriola Landfill is approximately one mile northwest of the Armonk Private Wells site. These two sites and the surrounding area are the subject of the upcoming public availability session. The meeting date, time and location are provided above.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) were detected in groundwater and drinking water supply wells at levels above New York State's maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for public drinking water (10 parts per trillion [ppt]).

The Armonk Private Wells Superfund site (DEC site #360005) was impacted by releases of dry-cleaning chemicals prior to 1980. The contaminants of concern at that time were volatile organic compounds (VOCs), especially tetrachloroethene (PCE), in the soil, groundwater, and soil vapor. In the early 2000s, a granular activated carbon (GAC) groundwater treatment system began processing groundwater beneath the site in order to prevent the migration of VOC contamination and reduce exposure off-site. DEC continues to monitor the site to ensure that the dry-cleaning impacts are controlled.

The WGC Labriola Landfill (DEC site #360218) was operated from approximately 1954 to 1974 and primarily accepted lumber and building debris. The landfill itself was historically an open-faced dump, at one time nearly 40-ft. tall, and exhibited some evidence indicating an underground fire and potentially ongoing disposal until 1979.

In 2018 and 2019, as part of New York State's Emerging Contaminant Sampling Initiative to investigate groundwater for emerging contaminants at new and legacy sites, DEC began sampling on-site groundwater with the New York State Department of Health (DOH) to determine if PFAS or other contaminants may be present.

The sampling detected concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in groundwater monitoring wells on both the Armonk Private Wells site and WCG Labriola Landfill at levels above 10 parts per trillion. A survey of the area revealed that many properties rely on private wells for their drinking water. In response, sampling was expanded by DEC and DOH to evaluate nearby potentially affected properties' water supply wells.

Sampling of private wells at nearby properties has been conducted in phases in the area of interest shown on the map below. Many drinking water wells showed levels of PFOA and/or PFOS above 10 parts per trillion. New York State does not regulate PFAS in private wells; however, the State's drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS in public water supplies are used as guidelines to recommend actions to reduce exposures for people with private drinking water wells.

DEC initially provided bottled water to properties where results were above 10 parts per trillion and also offered installation of point-of-entry treatment (POET) systems. At properties where DEC's offer was accepted, POET systems were installed to filter out PFAS and provide clean drinking water on a longer-term basis. DEC will maintain these systems for as long as necessary to prevent potential exposure to contamination. More information about POET systems is found in the POET System Homeowner's Guide (PDF, 88 KB).

Additional information about private wells, including information about PFAS in private wells and steps people can take if they are concerned about PFAS or other contaminants in drinking water, can be found here:

The efforts of DEC and DOH to engage the public for participation in the private well sampling initiative are ongoing. To speak with DEC and DOH representatives and supporting consultants, and obtain information and resources related to this community issue, please join us for our upcoming Availability Session. Additional information about this event can be found in the Latest News box above.

If you live in the North Castle area of interest and wish to participate in the program, please email DEC's environmental engineering consultant who will review and provide a response to your inquiry.

A review of private well sampling data indicates that PFAS in groundwater in the area of interest may not be directly connected to the WGC Labriola Landfill nor the sources of dry-cleaning chemical releases from the Armonk Private Wells site. DEC is conducting a thorough investigation into the sources of PFAS that has impacted groundwater and private water supplies in the area of interest.

This source investigation includes a review of private well PFAS data and potential PFAS sources, implementation of a subsurface investigation to collect soil and/or groundwater samples near potential PFAS sources, and surface water and sediment sampling to evaluate impacts in nearby ponds, streams, and tributaries. The surface water and sediment sampling activities will begin in fall 2022.

Collection of private well data is ongoing. Based on data collected to date, relatively uniform PFAS concentrations have been detected throughout the area; groundwater results for site monitoring wells suggest that there may be more than one source. Potential sources could include a combination of commercial, industrial and domestic wastewater discharges.

PFAS including PFOA and PFOS are a group of manufactured chemical compounds that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1950s. PFAS are widely used, long-lasting chemicals that break down slowly over time. These compounds have been used in a range of products, including cosmetics; water, grease, and oil-resistant products; and some fire-fighting foams.

People can be exposed to PFAS through air, water or soil contaminated from fire-fighting foam, industrial sources, food, and PFAS-containing consumer products. Some of these compounds remain in the environment and in the human body for many years, but levels go down once exposures have ended. PFAS has also been detected in public drinking water supplies and in private wells near where these chemicals were manufactured, used, or disposed of in New York State and the U.S. People are exposed to PFAS in water mainly through drinking and foods prepared with that water. Household uses, such as cleaning, washing, and bathing, do not result in significant exposure.

If you live in the area of interest and you would like your well tested for PFAS, please contact the DEC hotline provided in the letter you received in the mail. If you did not receive a letter, your well is not in an area of concern. Sampling will be coordinated with you and based on your schedule. Typically, drinking water samples will be collected from your kitchen tap in two small bottles and submitted to a certified laboratory for PFAS analysis. You will receive the results of testing in approximately 1 month.

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