The landfill began in 1952 in an old iron-ore pit by R. Emory Mabry. It was expanded to 27 acres (11 ha) by Harold Oswald who operated the landfill from 1966 to 1979.[3] The state inspected the landfill in 1972 and found that industrial sludge, batteries, and barrels of petroleum product had been dumped on site.[4] Contamination was detected in nearby water wells in 1982 and the landfill was the immediate suspect.[3]
Groundwater and soil analyses showed the presence of carcinogenic and other contaminants such as polcyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lead, chromium, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, vinyl chloride, benzene, and arsenic above the EPA's acceptable regulatory levels.[5] The site was added to the National Priorities List in 1984.[4]
In 1986, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a removal action that included regrading the landfill to prevent runoff and erosion of landfill material.[6]
In 1988, the EPA selected a remediation plan for the site which included off-site disposal of 700,000 US gallons (2,600,000 L; 580,000 imp gal) of on-site pond water, construction of a dike and diversion ditch system, installation of a multi-layer cap and gas collection system, groundwater monitoring, and restrictions on access to the site and construction near the site.
In 1991, the EPA issued a second remediation plan which included the continuation of groundwater monitoring and installation of wellhead treatment units in nearby residences.
In 2007, the EPA issued a revision to their original Record of Decision which deemed that controls be put in place to protect the cap over the landfill and that no groundwater wells be installed on the site.[4]
Groundwater testing from 2013 to 2017 showed that the metals manganese, mercury, and thallium were all present in excess of the federal maximum contaminant levels.[5]
In 2018, the EPA removed the site from the National Priorities List and determined that all performance standards had been achieved and that no additional Superfund response actions, other than operation and maintenance and Five-Year Reviews, were necessary to protect human health and the environment.[2]
