Reeser's Landfill operated as an unpermitted dump for municipal and commercial waste in a former mine pit in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It closed in 1980. In 1983, EPA detected elevated lead and cadmium in a nearby groundwater well and low mercury levels on the landfill itself. That led to the site being added to the National Priorities List in July 1987.
EPA then ran a thorough investigation from 1987 to 1989. Crews resampled contaminated areas, installed monitoring wells, and tested surface water and soils on and off the site. The follow-up sampling could not reproduce the original results. Risk calculations showed no significant threat to public health or the environment, and EPA chose a no-action remedy in 1989. The site was deleted from the National Priorities List on May 31, 1990.
Four contaminants have been identified at the site. Acetone, cadmium, and lead have been found in groundwater. Mercury has been detected in surface water. Zinc, mercury, cadmium, and lead were also found in local wells and in soils and sediments, but concentrations fell within established safety standards. EPA has determined the site poses no health threats. Human exposure is under control, and groundwater migration is under control, with contaminated groundwater stabilized in its original area and no unacceptable discharge to surface water.
EPA completed a five-year review in June 1993, confirming the no-action remedy continues to protect human health and the environment. The agency determined no additional five-year reviews are needed. The site achieved sitewide ready-for-anticipated-reuse status on June 27, 2008, meaning cleanup goals have been met and all required land-use restrictions are in place. Ongoing monitoring will confirm that affected groundwater stays in place.
Community members who want to stay informed can contact EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator. The Administrative Record for the site includes 24 documents and can be reviewed online or at the EPA Region III office in Philadelphia by calling (215) 814-3157 to schedule an appointment.
