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Richfield Landfill (Davison, Genesee County)

Richfield Landfill (Davison, Genesee County)

Disclaimer: Web content may not be routinely updated on this page.

Please contact the Site Lead for the most up-to-date status of this site.

EGLE site lead

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

Waste disposal questions

Please note that this landfill is CLOSED and does not accept waste. 

Background

The Richfield Landfill is located at 11145 East Mount Morris Road in Genesee County. In September 2012, Richfield Landfill Inc., filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection, which converted to a Chapter 7 (liquidation) bankruptcy in February 2013.  Upon conversion to Chapter 7, landfill operations ceased, and Richfield Landfill Inc., abandoned the landfill. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has been maintaining the site since it was abandoned by Richfield Landfill Inc., in 2013. Landfill Cells 1, 2, and 3 are believed to be structurally sound but require leachate removal and normal maintenance activities. The old fill area was constructed (per the regulations at the time) without a leachate collection system.

Historical groundwater monitoring indicates that the old fill portion of the landfill caused a groundwater impact in the shallow aquifer. The shallow aquifer flows south toward, and discharges into, the Holloway Reservoir (Flint River). A remediation system (groundwater extraction with trucking to a waste water treatment plant), mixing zone authorization, provision of municipal water and institutional controls were/are used to protect human health and the environment.

Content posted October 2021.

Aerial Map of Richfield Landfill, Davison, Michigan

Site map

See an aerial view of the location of the site.

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Drinking water

Three select residential drinking water wells were sampled to evaluate potential PFAS impacts. All three residential wells were non-detect for total PFAS. There is no known impact to the drinking water aquifer which is lower than and hydraulically separated from the upper impacted aquifer. On-site groundwater monitoring wells will continue to be monitored to evaluate PFAS plume concentrations and configuration in the upper aquifer. For additional information on residential well testing and results, visit the Frequently Asked Questions.

Anticipated activities

EGLE will evaluate new PFAS data as it becomes available. EGLE continues to evaluate next steps, however, Richfield Landfill Inc., has gone bankrupt and there is no viable liable party at this time and available financial assurance is nearly depleted. Maintenance and monitoring are currently dependent on available State funds. In October 2021, EGLE staff plan to attend a meeting of the Holloway Lake Association in Richfield Township.

Historical Timeline

    • On April 19, 2018, one leachate PFAS sample and two groundwater PFAS samples were collected at the site.
      • The leachate PFAS sample was taken to assist in evaluating leachate treatment/disposal options and is not indicative of concentrations that are being released to the environment.
      • The groundwater samples were taken to evaluate potential site related PFAS impacts. One sample (nearest the landfill) exceeded EGLE Part 201 Criteria of 70 ppt. The second sample (on property but closer to the property line) was below EGLE Part 201 Criteria.
    • On October 11, 2018, three residential well samples were collected near the site. The analytical results for total tested PFAS at all three sample locations was non-detect.
    • On November 19, 2018, EGLE attended a meeting with local leaders to discuss residential well PFAS sample results and to discuss site status and next steps.
    • On March 8, 2019 the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) attended a public meeting at Mott Community College. EGLE staff provided a presentation on PFAS, including updates on all the Flint-area PFAS sites.  This event was sponsored by Representatives John Cherry, Sheldon Neely, Sheryl Kennedy, and Tim Sneller.
    • During the week of November 11, 2019, EGLE’s contractor sampled select groundwater monitoring wells to monitor the stability of the PFAS impact and confirm plume delineation.
    • On January 5, 2020, EGLE received groundwater sampling results from select monitor wells, which confirmed plume delineation, and that the lower aquifer was uncontaminated.
    • On January 24, 2020, EGLE participated in a stakeholder’s meeting at Richfield Township Hall with State Representative Sheryl Kennedy, other state and local officials, and residents to discuss the results of recent groundwater sampling, budget, funding, and future plans for the site.
    • In May 2020, EGLE began design work for the addition of an engineered clay cap to Cell 1 and the old fill area. This cap will reduce leachate production and decrease contaminant concentrations in groundwater.
    • In July 2020, construction on the new engineered clay cap on Cell 1 began. The work was overseen by Tetra Tech, EGLE, and DTMB. EGLE performed routine quality assurance checks.
    • In October 2020, construction on the Cell 1 cap was completed. The new cap will limit infiltration of water into the landfill and reduce leachate production. This will both reduce costs of pumping and hauling leachate for the state and reduce the leachate load on the Genesee County Wastewater Treatment Plant.
    • In January 2021, the annual groundwater and landfill gas monitoring event was completed by Tetra Tech. The report was submitted to EGLE in March 2021.
    • On August 12, 2021, Richfield Township hosted a stakeholder meeting with EGLE, State Representative David Martin, Staff from Senator Gary Peters office, local officials, and the Holloway Lake Association. EGLE gave an update on the landfill, including the new cap, and PFAS contamination. The meeting was held at Richfield Township Hall.

    Sampling: PFOS and PFOA Only

    Type of Sample

    Date Sampled

    Number of Samples

    Number of Results Received

    Number of Non-detects

    Number Between Non-detect and standard*

    Number of > Standard
    Drinking Water (Residential) Oct 11, 2018 3 3 3 0 0
    Groundwater Apr 19, 2018 - Present 9 9 2 4 3
    Cumulative 12 12 5 4 3

    *Residential well results are compared to the USEPA Lifetime Health Advisory Level of 70 ppt PFOS+PFOA.
    *Groundwater results are compared to EGLE Part 201 Criteria of 70 ppt PFOS+PFOA.

    Sampling Notes

    • Other PFAS analytes were detected in samples. There are no federal or state standards for these analytes.
    • A landfill leachate PFAS sample was collected on April 19, 2018, to assist in evaluating leachate treatment/disposal options.  Leachate sample results are not indicative of concentrations that are being released to the environment.