Davis (GSR) Landfill

Overview

The Davis (GSR) Landfill covers 58 acres across the Towns of Glocester and Smithfield, Rhode Island. It accepted municipal waste from four communities between 1974 and 1976, then became fully inactive in 1982 after a State Supreme Court ruling. The landfill was never properly capped or stabilized. It was added to EPA's National Priorities List (NPL) in June 1986, which flags sites needing investigation and cleanup.

EPA completed a Remedial Investigation in fall 1994. It found elevated levels of manganese and arsenic in groundwater beneath the landfill, and those metals had migrated beyond the site boundaries. On-site groundwater, surface water, and sediments also contained low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as vinyl chloride and benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals including lead. Pesticides including chlordane and DDT were detected in surface water and sediments. In total, EPA identified 73 contaminants of concern across the site.

About 200 residents using private water wells live within one mile of the site. Despite the contamination found on-site, EPA concluded that no adverse health effects would result from inhalation of landfill gas or from contact with surface water, soil, or sediments. EPA also determined that no adverse health risks are linked to groundwater exposure at the site. In September 1997, EPA issued a Record of Decision selecting a "no action monitoring" approach, meaning the site would be watched rather than actively remediated. That same month, construction was marked complete.

The site was deleted from the NPL in August 1999, confirming cleanup goals had been met. Five rounds of residential well testing conducted after deletion found no site-related contamination in down-gradient private wells. EPA's 2002 Five-Year Review confirmed the no-action decision remained protective of human health and the environment. In April 2008, the site was designated sitewide ready for anticipated reuse, meaning all cleanup goals for current and expected future land uses have been achieved. Human exposure is considered under control, and contaminated groundwater migration is stabilized with no unacceptable discharge to surface water. Monitoring continues to confirm that affected groundwater stays within the original area of contamination.

Community members with questions can reach EPA staff directly. The Community Involvement Coordinator is Liz McCarthy, and the Remedial Project Manager is Joe Cunningham. Site records are also available at the East Smithfield Public Library in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and at EPA Region 1's office in Boston, Massachusetts.