EPA: Original landfill releases ooze into river

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is warning of liquid pollution containing dangerous chemicals leaking from the oldest landfill at Mallard Lake Forest Preserve.

EPA investigators earlier this month saw leachate, a mixture of rainwater and other fluids produced by decaying garbage, seeping into the West Branch of the DuPage River.

The ooze was coming from what's known as Mallard North, a landfill at the preserve located near Hanover Park, and it contained toxins including high levels of ammonia plus benzene, a chemical used in gas and plastics, and Freon, used in refrigeration.

The presence of ammonia "can be toxic to plant life and also can be toxic to fish," EPA on-scene coordinator Steve Faryan said.

"It's very serious and we've asked them (the forest preserve) to take immediate action to step up the pumping."

Forest Preserve spokesman Bill Weidner noted that "the district is working in close cooperation with the EPA at Mallard North."

The Mallard Lake Forest Preserve includes Mallard North, which did not have a permit and closed in the 1970s, and another landfill to the south which is the subject of two pollution lawsuits and a massive EPA cleanup to contain leaking methane gas.

The EPA is currently investigating the extent of the problems connected with Mallard North, which lacks an active system to collect leachate or methane gas, officials said.

Agency investigators also believe methane gas detected about 10 feet underground outside of Greenbrook Elementary School is tied to Mallard North also. No gas was found inside the Hanover Park school, located near the landfill, and a well was installed to remove vapors and burn them off.

The EPA is requesting the forest preserve to place gas probes around the perimeter of the landfill, take interim steps to control any leaks and study a permanent solution. The agency also has asked the district to control leachate seepage with wells and a pumping system.

As concerns the cleanup of methane from the newer landfill, Faryan said the process is successful with some wells showing significant decreases in gas. The project essentially involves sucking up methane below the surface found in a neighborhood west of the dump and sending it back to the landfill. Work will continue for six months up to a year.

"There are little pockets of gas we have to go after," Faryan said. "We hope to get the engines out of the neighborhoods as soon as possible."

For more information, go to the EPA's Web site, www.epaosc.net, click on Web Sites, then select Region 5.