South Macomb Disposal Authority Landfills 9/9A (Macomb, Macomb County)

Samantha Belisle, BelisleS1@Michigan.gov or 517-290-0686.

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

The South Macomb Disposal Authority (SMDA) Landfills 9 and 9A located at 24 Mile Road, is comprised of two adjacent municipal waste landfills, Landfill 9 and Landfill 9A, that were utilized for the disposal of municipal wastes from 1968 to 1975. The sites were not adequately covered or lined to prevent contamination from leaving the landfills and entering groundwater. Local aquifers are contaminated with landfill leachate.

Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) required the South Macomb Disposal Authority to collect PFAS from the influent and effluent of their leachate and groundwater collection system as part of their permit to discharge to the GLWA system. EGLE initiated discussions about PFAS sampling in the groundwater wells around the landfills in July 2019. SMDA informed EGLE that they had been collecting PFAS samples from the water treatment system and EGLE requested a copy of the laboratory reports. The laboratory reports showed that PFOA and PFOS was present in leachate above 70 parts per trillion. EGLE requested that SMDA collect groundwater samples for PFAS. The first round of groundwater samples were collected during the June 2020 sampling event. EGLE split 3 groundwater samples and the results showed PFOA above the groundwater cleanup criteria.

The groundwater in Aquifer 1 flows from the northeast corner of Landfill 9 to the south east. The groundwater in Aquifer 2 flows from the northeast corner of Landfill 9 to the northeast, southeast, and southwest. Groundwater in Aquifer 2 additionally flows toward the site from the northwest. Groundwater in Aquifer 3 flows inward towards the center of Landfill 9 from the southwest, west, northwest, north, northeast, and east.

Potential receptors in the area include potential drinking water wells located adjacent to the site.

Content posted April 2021.

EGLE and the local health department have identified residential wells nearby that have historically been tested for site related contaminants. The SMDA has agreed to sample the residential wells nearby the site.

EGLE will mail letters to residents informing them of the SMDA's intent to request access for PFAS sampling by April 30, 2021. EGLE will hold a Public Meeting on May 12, 2021, regarding the upcoming residential well sampling. SMDA will send a Residential Well Sampling Plan and updated Quality Assurance Project Plan for EGLE review and approval by May 13, 2021. The SMDA will send letters and access agreements to residents by May 17, 2021.