EPA, forest preserve to investigate methane near Mallard Lake landfill

The DuPage County Forest Preserve District and BFI Waste Systems of North America have agreed to further investigate the extent of recent methane gas releases near the Mallard Lake Landfill in Hanover Park, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday.

An EPA-led team that includes local officials has already been canvassing the area and screening nearby homes for potentially high levels of methane in basements, foundation slabs and crawl spaces.

EPA officials said all data collected thus far from more than 60 properties shows no evidence of the colorless, odorless gas, which can explode when concentrated in confined spaces.

The methane appears to be contained to areas more than 40 feet underground, the EPA said.

The agreement also requires BFI, which operates the landfill, and the forest preserve district to develop and implement a strategy to contain the leak. The EPA said a preliminary plan has already been submitted.

The EPA and its partners will continue in-home methane screenings in an area bordered by Morton Road on the west; Lawrence Avenue and Whitney Drive to the north; Whitney and Bell drives to the east; and DeForest Lane on the south.

Homes will also be screened along Schick Road and on County Farm Road north of Lawrence Avenue, as well as south of DeForest Lane on Whitney and Bell drives.

Investigators may ask residents for permission to install, at no cost, gas collection canisters or explosimeters, which monitor gas concentrations in real-time.

For more information, contact EPA community involvement coordinator Mike Joyce at (312) 353-5546.