Operations at the G & H Industrial Landfill, located at 3160 23 Mile Road, began in the mid-1930s. The unlined industrial landfill site accepted both municipal refuse and liquid and solid industrial wastes. From approximately 1955 to 1967, industrial waste consisting of solvents, paints, varnishes, lacquers, oils and processed sludges was disposed of in pits and lagoons. Barrels of waste are documented to have been disposed of at the site. Disposal of industrial wastes in the landfill continued until 1967 when the state of Michigan prohibited acceptance of such wastes. The site operated as a refuse landfill from 1967 until it closed in 1974.
The site was added to the National Priorities List in 1983 under EPA’s Superfund Program. Emergency actions were taken in 1982, 1983, 1986, and 1987 through 1991 by the EPA to contain, collect, and dispose of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated oil from seeps discharging from the landfill. The EPA also provided treatment for the seep liquids in wetlands south of the landfill prior to their discharge (via drains) to the Clinton River. The EPA fenced the property in 1988. A remedial investigation was conducted by the EPA from 1983 to 1990, with results showing that the landfilling practices had caused contamination of surface soils, sub-surface soils, surface water, sediments, and groundwater.
A Record of Decision was signed in December 1990. The selected remedy required installation of a hazardous waste landfill cap and fully encompassing slurry wall system, collection and treatment of contaminated groundwater and leachate, connection of residential homes to the municipal water system, replacement of wetlands, and deed restrictions limiting use of the land and groundwater.
In 1992, the EPA issued an Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) which:
In 1996, the PRP steering group initiated construction activities at the site, including installation of a hazardous waste cap over the landfill area, construction of a groundwater treatment system, and restoration of wetlands. The remedy was completed by the fall of 1999. The site property tax-reverted to the state landbank at that time. The ongoing operation and maintenance (O & M) phase began in the fall of 1999.
In 2019, PFAS was analyzed in influent and effluent samples collected from the onsite Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Seven compounds were detected, the highest of which were 17 ppt PFOS (influent) and 12 ppt PFOA (effluent). In 2020, influent and effluent samples were collected from the WWTP again and had detections of 9 PFAS compounds, with the highest results being 12 ppt PFOA (Effluent) and 28 ppt PFBA (Influent). Groundwater samples were also collected from three wells onsite, the highest of which was 11 ppt PFOA and 13 ppt PFOS. These results were below the criteria in place at the time, which was 70 ppt PFOS and PFOA, individually or combined.
In August 2024, 23 groundwater samples were collected from 21 monitoring wells at the site. PFAS was detected in all 21 wells. Fifteen samples exceeded criteria for PFOA, and two exceeded criteria for PFOS. The highest results were 23 ppt PFOA (compared to 8 ppt) and 21 ppt PFOS (compared to 16 ppt). Groundwater flows to the Clinton River, located to the west of the site.
View an aerial image of the site.
This app provides access to multiple datasets from Michigan’s PFAS Action Response Team (MPART), including data on official sites, surface water, public water supplies, and fish sampling.
EGLE, DHHS and local health department staff reviewed residential well logs and determined there are no nearby residential drinking water wells in need of sampling.
This site is near three other existing MPART sites (SOCCRA Avon Landfill, Stan’s Trucking Landfill, and Liquid Disposal, Inc.) and wells were evaluated as part of investigations at those sites.
Courtney Fung, FungC@Michigan.gov or 517-242-0008.
