Wheeling Disposal Service Co., Inc., Landfill

Overview

The Wheeling Disposal Service Co., Inc., Landfill is a former 10-acre landfill in Amazonia, Andrew County, Missouri. It operated from the 1970s until 1986. The EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) added the site to its National Priorities List (NPL) in October 1989 and removed it in October 2000 after cleanup was completed.

The landfill contaminated soil, groundwater, and surface water with 14 substances. Metals found at the site include arsenic, barium, chromium, lead, and nickel. Organic chemicals include 1,2-dichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, and trichloroethene. Pesticides include aldrin, chlordane, and dieldrin. These contaminants were detected across multiple environmental media, pointing to widespread contamination.

Cleanup work ran from January 1994 through September 1994. Workers installed four separate caps over former industrial disposal areas, added groundwater monitoring wells, improved drainage and erosion control, and secured the site perimeter. Eleven monitoring wells were abandoned and certain on-site wells were closed. Human exposure to contamination is under control, with no current unacceptable exposure pathways identified. Contaminated groundwater migration has been stabilized, and there is no unacceptable discharge to surface water.

The EPA completed its most recent Five-Year Review on May 8, 2024, confirming the remedy protects human health and the environment. Cap inspections happen twice a year. Groundwater and surface water samples are collected every two years. An environmental covenant recorded in February 2016 restricts land use and prevents residential development. The next Five-Year Review is due by May 8, 2029.

Community members can join the site mailing list to receive updates on cleanup activities and learn about future public participation opportunities. Two EPA programs offer additional support. Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) provides free help from scientists and engineers to explain site conditions and EPA actions. Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) offer funding up to $50,000 to eligible community groups to hire their own technical advisor. Site records are available at the Rolling Hills Library at 514 W Main Street in Savannah, Missouri.