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Southeastern Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority (SOCRRA) Avon Landfill (Rochester Hills, Oakland County)

Southeastern Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority (SOCRRA) Avon Landfill (Rochester Hills, Oakland 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

Aaron Darling, DarlingA5@Michigan.gov or 586-942-1910.

Waste Disposal Questions

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

Background

SOCRRA Avon Landfill is a 140-acre, closed sanitary landfill located at 1741 School Road. The site began receiving municipal solid waste in 1980 and was officially closed in 2005. Based on the potential for PFAS-containing materials to have been disposed at the landfill and the fact that there are potential downgradient drinking water and/or surface water receptors, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) requested groundwater sampling to be conducted to determine if PFAS contamination was present at levels that would require further action.

Groundwater flow is east-southeast to the Honeywell Drain, which is a tributary to the Clinton River.

Content posted May 2022.

Map of SOCRRA Avon Landfill

Site map

See an aerial view of the location of the site.

Expand the map

Drinking water

Between January and March of 2022, DHHS conducted resampling of 13 residential wells.12 of 13 homes were non-detect for PFAS, one home had a detection below criteria. In the original sampling run, there was one home that had an exceedance for PFOA at 9 ppt. DHHS did not get a sample from that home in the resampling—they are following up.

Anticipated activities

SOCRRA began delineating PFAS in groundwater in the first quarter of 2021.The work plan includes quarterly sampling in 2021 and 2022.

Historical timeline

    • On May 27, 2020, EGLE sent a letter to SOCRRA requesting the groundwater and leachate be sampled for PFAS analysis.
    • On July 21, 2020, SOCRRA's consultant, Mannik & Smith Group, Inc., sampled four monitoring wells for PFAS.  The highest groundwater results were non-detect (ND) PFOS, 16 ppt PFOA, ND PFNA, ND PFHxS, 5 ppt PFHxA, 14 ppt PFBS, and ND HFPO-DA.
    • On August 20, 2020, EGLE received the sample results from the July 2020 sampling event.  One monitoring well exceeded groundwater cleanup criteria with a result of 16 ppt PFOA. PFOS was non-detect. 
    • On November 20, 2020, SOCRRA submitted a workplan to delineate PFAS in groundwater.  EGLE approved the workplan.
    • On March 9, 2021, SOCRRA completed their first quarterly sampling event.  Two downgradient groundwater monitoring wells showed exceedances of PFOA.  The highest detection was 18 ppt.
    • On May 13, 2021, MPART hosted a virtual town hall to discuss the upcoming drinking water well sampling in Rochester Hills and Shelby Township.
    • On May 18, 2021, SOCRRA completed their second quarterly sampling event.  Two downgradient groundwater monitoring wells showed exceedances of PFOA.  The highest detection was 78 ppt.
    • On June 3, 2021, AECOM and EGLE sampled 14 residential wells. 
    • On June 16, 2021, EGLE received the residential well sample results.  One home slightly exceeded drinking water criteria.  DHHS and the local health departments will contact residents with their results and any recommendations and provide filters where appropriate.
    • On July 22, 2021, AECOM sampled one additional residential well. This well was non-detect for all PFAS tested.
    • On July 21, 2021, SOCRRA completed their third quarterly sampling event. Two downgradient groundwater monitoring wells showed exceedances of PFOA. The highest detection was 40 ppt.
    • On November 15, 2021, SOCRRA completed their fourth quarterly sampling event. Two downgradient groundwater monitoring wells showed exceedances of PFOA; the highest detection was 89 ppt.
    • EGLE, with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Oakland County Health Division, the Macomb County Health Department, Rochester Hills, and Shelby Township, compiled a list of wells for sampling. Letters requesting access to sample these wells went out to residents and businesses on April 27, 2021.AECOM and EGLE sampled 14 residential wells on June 3, 2021, and one well on July 22, 2021. One home slightly exceeded drinking water criteria. DHHS and the local health departments contacted residents with their results and any recommendations and will provide filters where appropriate.
    • Between January and March of 2022, DHHS conducted resampling of 13 residential wells.12 of 13 homes were non-detect for PFAS, one home had a detection below criteria.
    • On March 11, 2022, SOCRRA completed their fifth quarterly sampling event. Two downgradient groundwater monitoring wells showed exceedances of PFOA; the highest detection was 82 ppt.

    Sampling Results Summary

    This table was updated to include all seven PFAS criteria effective December 21, 2020.

    Type of Sample

    Date Sampled (or Range)

    Numberof Sample Results Received

    Number of Samples above Criteria*

    Groundwater Monitoring Wells

    		 July 21, 2020 -March 11, 2022 34 11
    Residential Wells June 2021 - March 2022 28 2
    * 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).

    Sampling Notes

    • None at this time.