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Pollard Landfill (Montrose Township, Genesee County)

Pollard Landfill (Montrose Township, Genesee County)

Disclaimer
Web content may not routinely be updated on this page. Please contact the Site Lead for the most up-to-date status of the site.
Content posted January 2022.

EGLE Site Lead

Evin Maguire, MaguireE@Michigan.gov or 517-388-3525.

Background

Pollard Landfill is a closed municipal solid waste landfill located at 11349 McKinley Road. The site operated as a local dump prior to 1972, and eventually became a licensed landfill. However, in 1989, all waste disposal activities at the site were stopped, and closure was initiated. Closure activities included installation of an engineered clay cap, and additional groundwater monitoring wells. In 2006, Pollard Landfill prepared a plan to investigate groundwater contamination at the site, which was approved by EGLE. Because of the known historical contamination at this site, EGLE conducted PFAS sampling of select groundwater monitor wells in 2021. PFAS was discovered in groundwater at levels exceeding cleanup criteria in three of four sampled groundwater wells.

Groundwater flow in the affected shallow aquifer at the site is to the west, toward the Flint River, which borders the property. Contaminated water from the shallow aquifer discharges to the river. All residential wells near the site are in the deeper bedrock aquifer, which records indicate is separated from the shallow contaminated aquifer by a substantial clay layer, which likely blocks the flow of contaminants.

Pollard Landfill map

Recent Accomplishments

  • On July 1, 2021, EGLE and contractor Tetra Tech sampled select groundwater monitor wells for PFAS.
  • On July 21, 2021, EGLE received sample results. The highest result was 160 ppt for PFOS and 96 ppt for PFOA.
  • On August 11, 2021, EGLE, DHHS, and Genesee County Health Department met to discuss the sampling results.

Next Steps

  • EGLE will continue to work with MDHHS and the local health department to assess environmental risks at this site.

Residential Well/Alternate Water

  • EGLE is currently working with DHHS and the Genesee County Health Department to determine if residential well sampling will be necessary. Currently, municipal drinking water is available in the vicinity of the landfill.

Upcoming Community Engagement

  • None scheduled at this time.

Sampling Results Summary

Type of Sample

Date Sampled
(or range)

Number of Sample
Results Received

Number of Samples
above Criteria*
Groundwater Monitoring
Wells		 July 1, 2021 4 3
Surface Water June 1, 2021 1 0

*Groundwater monitoring well results are compared to EGLE Part 201 criteria for 7 PFAS compounds effective 12/21/2020:  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

  • A surface water sample was taken by EGLE approximately 0.3 miles downstream of site at the intersection of Vienna Road and the Flint River, in June 2021 and was below surface water criteria.