EPA, State Answer Gordon’s Questions About Landfill
June 12, 2007, MURFREESBORO – In a detailed response to questions about the safety of Middle Point Landfill, the Environmental Protection Agency and state officials told U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon that they believe the city’s water quality is safe for now but could be impacted by the landfill in the future.
According to state officials, increased concentrations of barium have been indicated in groundwater at one of the eight monitoring wells at Middle Point. The well’s proximity to the Stones River means Murfreesboro’s water could be impacted.
“In the very best case, the materials going into the landfill are unpleasant; in the worst case, they could harm our families,” said Gordon.
According to the response to Gordon from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation: “There are indications of increasing concentrations of barium in the ground water at monitor well MW-2. The contaminant levels are still below the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for drinking water. A ground water assessment is underway to determine if the increasing barium concentrations are from naturally occurring sources or due to leachate from the landfill. Since MW-2 is near the river, water quality could eventually be impacted. Leachate will be tested for radioactivity in order to assess the potential impact to the river.”
Gordon also learned that test results from leachate samples taken from the site are expected in mid-June. The leachate has not been tested for radioactivity in the past, but the state has proposed changes to its testing guidelines to monitor leachate for radiation if it is being released to a water treatment facility.
TDEC officials have told Gordon and the EPA that they are planning a public meeting regarding the landfill.
“While state officials say Middle Point poses no danger, Rutherford County residents need to have accurate information about what’s going into this landfill,” said Gordon. “I encourage state, county and city officials to aggressively monitor the impact this landfill is having on our communities and on the health of citizens.”
