The Rumpke Sanitary Landfill (RSL) is a municipal solid waste and construction demolition debris landfill owned and operated by Rumpke Consolidate Companies, Inc. The landfill is regulated under Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation Recovery Act.
The RSL facility is over 500 acres in size with more than 330 acres permitted for waste disposal. RSL is permitted to receive up to 10,000 tons of waste per day. The landfill was designed and constructed with a clay and synthetic liner system, leachate collection system, and landfill gas collection and control system.
GSF Energy, LLC (GSF) has continuously operated a landfill gas (LFG) to high Btu processing facility at RSL since the mid 1980's. A total of approximately 200 landfill gas wells on 275 acres are routinely monitored for temperature and LFG quality by GSF well field technicians to assure gas plant inlet specifications and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) are maintained.
On September 1, 2009, the Rumpke Sanitary Landfill (RSL) reported elevated subsurface landfill temperatures in the area of Well 135 on the northern section of the municipal waste landfill. Elevated temperatures were documented as high as 195 degrees activating the site contingency plan with notification to the local fire department.
On September 4, 2009, EPA and Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services (HCDOES) conducted on-site sampling in the area of W-135. Rumpke contractors are conducting daily temperature monitoring.
On September 8, 2009, U.S. EPA START and HCDOES conducted air monitoring of the perimeter and surrounding neighborhoods utilizing the Rapid Assessment Tool (RAT). Air quality parameters monitored were Hydrogen Sulfide, Volatile Organc Compounds, and Carbon Monoxide. All air quality parameters monitored were found to be below the action levels established for the response effort. See documents for RAT monitoring data summary maps.
On November 19, 2009, U.S. EPA personnel visited the site to tour the area of the subsurface reaction, receive a briefing on actions taken and data collected to date, and discuss recommendations for future actions. A Team consisting of representatives from HCDOES, Hamilton County Public Health Department, Ohio EPA, Colerain Township Fire Service and Rumpke was formed to focus on addressing the issue. The Team developed an action plan, communications protocol, technical goals and propose field activities to address the issue.
On November 22, 2009, U.S. EPA START and HCDOES conducted another round of air monitoring of the perimeter and surrounding neighborhoods utilizing the RAT. Air quality parameters monitored were Hydrogen Sulfide, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Carbon Monoxide. All air quality parameters monitored were found to be below the action levels established for the response effort. See documents for the RAT monitoring data summary maps.
On December 11, 2009, U.S. EPA and representatives of 'Team Rumpke' met on site to discuss develop technical goals to address the problem along with activities to meet the goals. The technical goals are as follows:
1. Ensure slope stability
2. Maintain the integrity of engineered components
3. Define the rate/extent of the incident
4. Control odors
5. Manage gas, pressure, leachate and condensate properly
6. Prepare for contingencies to reduce response time
7. Ensure health & safety of regulators/responders and Rumpke personnel
8. Prevent the incident from spreading
9. Return the affected area to normal conditions as quickly as possible
10. Ensure compliance with permits, authorizing actions, and other regulatory obligations
On January 7, 2010, the Team met to review current temperature, gas quality and settlement data in the affected area. An extensive list of proposed activities designed to meet the above technical goals was finalized. These activities are being integrated into a formal agreement between HCDOES, Ohio EPA, and Rumpke.
On February 25, 2010, representatives from the Colerain Township Fire Department, U.S. EPA, Ohio EPA, and Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency met to review, discuss and update contingency plans in the event of an emergency at or near the affected area of the site.
On March 5, 2010, U.S. EPA START and HCDOES conducted another round of air monitoring of the perimeter and surrounding neighborhoods utilizing RAT. Air quality parameters monitored were Hydrogen Sulfide, VOCs, and Carbon Monoxide. All air quality parameters monitored were found to be below the action levels established for the response effort. See documents for the RAT monitoring data summary maps.
On March 18, 2010, Ohio EPA issued Findings & Orders for the site which directs Rumpke to comply with an action plan developed by 'Team Rumpke," which has been working over the past several months to monitor and respond to the situation.
On April 1, 2010, a public information session was held in Cincinnati during which representatives from the various agencies involved presented and discussed the orders, action plan, and ongoing air monitoring activities.
In June 2010, Rumpke personnel and contractors completed placement of a flexible membrane liner (FML) over the impacted area of the landfill. The objective of this 'odor control blanket,' which resembles a large black plastic tarp, is to control landfill gas and odor emissions from the surface of the landfill. Rumpke personnel will now maintain and repair the cap as needed to ensure it is effective at controlling odors originating from the impacted area.
U.S. EPA continues to participate in Team meetings, conduct site visits, and monitor implementation of field activities aimed at addressing the incident.
