Port Washington Landfill

Overview

Port Washington Landfill is a 54-acre municipal landfill in North Hempstead, New York. It operated from 1973 to 1983 and was added to EPA's Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in September 1983. Investigations found that landfill operations created an off-site plume of methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are chemicals that can evaporate into the air. A nearby drinking water well was closed in 1981 because of organic chemical contamination.

EPA has identified over 80 contaminants at the site. These include VOCs such as trichloroethane, dichloroethane, dichloroethene, and benzene. Metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and chromium are also present, along with phthalates, ketones, and the pesticide DDT. Contaminants have been detected in both groundwater and landfill gas.

EPA selected a cleanup remedy in September 1989. That remedy included capping the landfill, installing a gas collection system, and building a groundwater extraction and treatment system. The landfill cap was finished in spring 1997. The gas collection system was completed in two phases, with the second phase done in March 2000. The groundwater treatment system started running in August 2000 and has treated roughly 95 million gallons of contaminated groundwater since then. All construction was finished by July 2000. The town has operated and maintained the systems continuously, with refurbishing and redesign work done in 2018 and 2019.

Human exposure to contamination is under control, and migration of contaminated groundwater is stabilized with no unacceptable discharge to surface water. The site achieved sitewide ready for anticipated use status in July 2017, meaning all cleanup goals for current and expected future land uses have been met. EPA completed its sixth five-year review on March 28, 2024, confirming that cleanup actions continue to protect people's health and the environment. Long-term groundwater treatment and quarterly monitoring are ongoing. The site has not yet been deleted from the NPL.

Community members with questions can contact the Community Involvement Coordinator or the Remedial Project Manager. Site records are available for public review at North Hempstead Town Hall in Manhasset, New York, or at EPA Region 2's Superfund Records Center in New York City by appointment.