The Madison County Sanitary Landfill sits on 90 acres in Madison, Florida. It accepted domestic and industrial waste from 1971 to 1980. Groundwater contamination was discovered in the mid-1980s, and the EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in August 1990. The NPL is the federal list of hazardous waste sites that require long-term cleanup under the Superfund program.
The site has 33 contaminants of concern spread across groundwater and soil. Groundwater contains chlorinated solvents including trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, chloroform, vinyl chloride, and 1,4-dioxane. Soil contamination includes pesticides such as DDT and chlordane, metals including barium, beryllium, and cobalt, and phthalate compounds. Some substances appear in both media. Human exposure to contamination is currently under control, and contaminated groundwater is contained within the property boundaries with no unacceptable discharge to surface water.
Early cleanup work in 1984 removed contaminated soil and 40 drums. The EPA's 1992 cleanup plan added a clay and soil cap, groundwater treatment, and restrictions on water supply wells. A groundwater treatment system with three recovery wells finished in 1996. A Restrictive Covenant was signed in 2019 to protect the landfill cap and restrict on-site water wells. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection installed water purification systems for nearby residents after contamination was discovered.
A second phase of cleanup is now in progress. A feasibility study finished in September 2022, and EPA issued an amended Record of Decision that same month. The amendment added new approaches, including in-situ bioremediation using bioaugmentation and chemical oxidation. Remedial design began in August 2023 and is estimated to finish between August and October 2026. The actual remedial action is then expected to run from August or October 2026 through October 2027. The most recent Five-Year Review was completed in August 2025. The site has not yet been deleted from the NPL.
The site is already in partial reuse. A recycling facility, storage for the Madison County Department of Transportation, an aircraft hangar, and a landing strip now operate on the property. Institutional controls restrict water supply well construction and prevent land uses such as residential development. Community members can stay informed through EPA fact sheets, public notices, and public meetings. Two EPA staff members are available to answer questions directly.
