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Wood Island Landfill (Wetmore, Alger County)
Please contact the Site Lead for the most up-to-date status of this site.
EGLE site lead
John J. Ozoga III, OzogaJ@Michigan.gov or 231-429-1718.
Waste Disposal Questions
Wood Island Landfill: 920-437-9363
Background
The Wood Island Landfill, located at E1081 State Highway M-28, consists of 163 acres, and began receiving waste in 1994. A groundwater cleanup system was installed in 2009 after contamination from heavy metals was detected in on-site monitoring wells. During the fall of 2021, EGLE requested the landfill to sample select monitoring wells for PFAS compounds. EGLE received the results of the PFAS sampling results on January 28, 2022. One monitoring well located downgradient of the landfill detected PFOA at 36 ppt compared to criteria of 8 ppt.
The groundwater flow direction leaving the landfill is in a south westerly direction towards Wetmore Lake, away from all drinking water wells. A production well is located at the landfill and is only used for operational purposes. A groundwater cleanup system is capturing and treating groundwater before it vents to Wetmore Lake. Historic releases of heavy metals (manganese, copper, and boron) are being removed from the groundwater in an oxidation tank. Monitoring of the groundwater, treatment system, leachate, and Wetmore Lake is done quarterly.
Content posted March 2022
Site map
Drinking water
There are no nearby drinking water wells downgradient of the site.
Anticipated activities
EGLE will review the second round of PFAS sampling results when received.
Historical timeline
-
2021
- On July 13, 2021, EGLE requested the landfill to submit a PFAS Sampling Work Plan.
- On October 11, 2021, EGLE approved of the PFAS Sampling Work Plan.
-
2022
- On January 28, 2022, EGLE received the PFAS sampling results from the landfill. Samples were collected from select monitoring wells, the on-site groundwater treatment system, landfill leachate, and Wetmore Lake. One monitoring well located downgradient of the landfill had PFOA at 36 ppt compared to criteria of 8 ppt.
- On February 2, 2022, EGLE requested that the landfill repeat PFAS sampling from the production well and influent to the groundwater cleanup system during the 1st quarter of 2022.
Sampling Information
Type of Sample
Date Sampled (or Range)
Number of Samples Results Received
Number of Samples above Criteria*
Groundwater Monitoring Wells
December 7, 2021 - December 15, 2021 3 1 Surface Water
December 7, 2021 - December 15, 2021 1 0 *Residential well and groundwater monitoring well results are compared to EGLE Part 201 criteria for 7 PFAS compounds: PFOS (16 ppt), PFOA (8 ppt), PFNA (6 ppt), PFHxS (51 ppt), PFHxA (400,000 ppt), PFBS (420 ppt), and HFPO-DA (370 ppt).
*Surface water samples are compared to Rule 57 non-drinking water values of 12 ppt for PFOS and 12,000 ppt for PFOA.Sampling Notes
- PFAS samples were also collected from the landfill leachate collection system and effluent from the groundwater treatment system.