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CAVE CREEK LANDFILL REMEDIATION PROJECT
Background
Cave Creek Landfill (CCL) began operations around 1965 in the area known as the “Old Landfill.” Somewhere around 1984, operations shifted to the “New Landfill.” The CCL stopped accepting waste in 1998. (A transfer station continues to operate, but all waste is hauled offsite.) As was typical with landfills operated at those times, liners were not required. The CCL was permitted to accept residential and commercial municipal solid waste and other wastes including: appliances, barnyard and stable waste, demolition material, non-infectious medical waste, domestic animals (large and small), green waste, foods, and inert materials.
As required by law in 1993, the County installed two down gradient groundwater monitoring wells (south and southeast of the landfill) and began to monitor these wells along with an already existing up gradient well (north of the landfill). Each well is located on County property. In December 1997, trichloroethene (TCE) above the Aquifer Water Quality Standard of 5.0 micrograms per liter (ug/L) was found in the monitoring wells. Maricopa County entered into a Consent Order with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) which assigns the responsibility for site remediation to the County. ADEQ approved a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) and continues to approve periodic revisions to the plan.
The groundwater contamination from CCL is over 600 feet below the ground surface and does not impact any drinking water sources or any other known sources of water use. Remediation is ongoing and will continue until complete to the satisfaction of ADEQ.
A Consent Order is a binding, enforceable contract. In the case of an environmental liability, this document will outline the obligations of the responsible party and provide for oversite of remediation. The original Consent Order for the Cave Creek Landfill Remediation Project was filed in 1998 and has been updated since. View the most recent Cave Creek Consent Order (PDF).
A Remedial Action Plan (RAP) is a detailed summary of the environmental issues found on a property during a site characterization and outlines a plan that prescribes the actions that will be used to achieve the cleanup goals. Also included is the plan of implementation and how its effectiveness will be measured. View the most recent Remedial Action Plan (PDF).
Site characterization can be defined as the three-dimensional engineering geologic description of the surface and subsurface of the location in order to effectively conduct environmental remediation. View the most recent Site Characterization Report (PDF).
CONTACT US
Email the Project Coordinator
Phone (non-emergency): 602-506-7179
Risk Management Emergency on Call: 602-540-3580