J & L Landfill sits on a 17-acre former sand and gravel pit in Rochester Hills, Michigan. From 1951 to 1980, the site accepted steel manufacturing slag and dust from electric arc furnace operations. That waste contaminated both soil and groundwater with hazardous chemicals. The site is listed on EPA's National Priorities List and is also known as Avon Township Landfill and J & L Site.
Contaminants of concern include metals such as arsenic, lead, chromium, nickel, zinc, beryllium, selenium, and iron found in the solid waste. Volatile organic compounds including benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, and 2-butanone are present in both the landfill and groundwater. Groundwater also contains acetone, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate. Methane is a concern as well, given the number of landfills in the surrounding area.
Cleanup was organized into two operable units. The first covers the landfill cap, where EPA installed a multi-layer protective cap with liner, perimeter fencing, and monitoring wells starting in 1994. Sediment ponds were backfilled and culverts were sealed to prevent leachate movement. The second covers groundwater, where five private wells were abandoned by August 2002 and ongoing monitoring continues. Two unilateral administrative orders, issued in 1995 and 1998, directed these cleanup activities. Construction of the cleanup is complete across the entire site.
EPA confirmed in its 2026 Five-Year Review that response actions comply with the selected remedy and remain protective of human health and the environment. Human exposure is currently under control, and contaminated groundwater is stabilized in the original area of contamination with no unacceptable discharge to surface water. Institutional controls, including zoning restrictions, are in place to prevent land uses inconsistent with the current cleanup level. The site achieved sitewide ready for anticipated reuse status on June 19, 2015, but has not yet been deleted from the National Priorities List. EPA will continue monitoring groundwater to confirm it stays within the original contamination area.
Community members can review public records at the Rochester Hills Public Library at 500 Olde Towne Road in Rochester, Michigan. The EPA administrative record includes 8 key documents and 102 administrative record documents. For questions, contact the EPA staff assigned to the site.
