Superfund Sites in Reuse in Wisconsin
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Eau Claire Municipal Well Field
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Kohler Co. Landfill
The 82-acre Kohler Co. Landfill Superfund site is located in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. Since the 1950s, Kohler’s manufacturing facilities used 40 acres of the site for the disposal of foundry and manufacturing wastes. Between 1950 and the 1970s, site operators constructed at least four pits for the disposal of oils, solvents and other wastes. Improper waste disposal resulted in the contamination of groundwater, surface water and sediments. EPA added the site to the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) in 1984. Cleanup activities include installing a cap over the landfill, placing zoning and access restrictions on the site, and collecting groundwater and landfill waste water. The City of Sheboygan’s publically owned water treatment works treats contaminated groundwater and landfill waste water and then discharges the clean water. The disposal facility continues to accept non-hazardous industrial waste generated at the plant. Currently, the site owner is working with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to expand the landfill properly and safely.
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Lauer I Sanitary Landfill
The 58-acre Lauer I Sanitary Landfill Superfund site is located in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. From the mid-1950s through 1972, the landfill accepted various municipal and industrial wastes. The landfill closed in 1973. Shortly afterward, state inspectors identified leaking passageways between the landfill liquid (leachate) collection pond and a ditch that drains into the Menomonee River. EPA added the site to the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) in 1984. From 1996 to 1998, Waste Management improved the landfill cap and methane collection system at the site. The company also collected leachate and sent wastewater to a treatment plant. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and EPA work together to closely monitor surrounding wells and private wells near the site. WDNR and EPA are collaborating to ensure long-term protectiveness by improving groundwater, leachate and landfill gas monitoring. Waste Management integrated an asphalt-paved parking lot for garbage vehicles into part of the landfill cover.
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Murray Machinery Incorporated
The 138-acre Murray Machinery Incorporated Superfund site is located in Stettin, Wisconsin. A foundry located on site primarily produced gray iron castings for the paper industry. Between 1966 and 1988, site operators disposed of foundry wastes in a landfill at the site and stored wastewater from emission control processes on site. In 1993, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) discovered contamination in site soils, surface water, sediment and groundwater. Leaking underground storage tanks found on site also contaminated soil. Murray Machinery installed a soil vapor extraction system. In 1994, EPA removed contaminated sediments and capped portions of the landfill. Wisconsin DNR covered the landfill with an asphalt cap and monitored groundwater. Brownfield Investments, LLC purchased the property after the completion of site cleanup activities. Currently, the site supports non-metallic mining, a sand and gravel business, an insulation distribution company and a wood truss manufacturing facility. A manufacturer of attachments for heavy equipment also leases a portion of the site’s refurbished foundry building.
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National Presto Industries, Inc.
The National Presto Industries Inc. Superfund site consists of 320 acres in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The federal government purchased the site in the 1940s to manufacture radar tubes and ordnance chemicals for the war effort. National Presto Industries Inc. (NPI) purchased the site in 1947 and began manufacturing household appliances, outboard motors, aircraft parts, artillery shells and other defense-related products. Beginning in 1966, site operators landfilled waste products on site, which led to groundwater contamination. EPA placed the site on the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) in 1986. NPI, the site’s potentially responsible party (PRP), constructed and began operation of a groundwater extraction system in 1987. NPI also connected affected residents to the public water supply in 1991 and placed a cap over contaminated wastes on site. Contracts between National Defense Corporation (NDC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NPI, and the U.S. Department of Defense ended in 1992. NPI dismantled most equipment on site. Remaining buildings on site currently operate as warehousing and diaper manufacturing facilities. The groundwater extraction system and the soil vapor extraction system continue to operate at the site.
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Northern Engraving Co.
The Northern Engraving Co. Superfund site in Sparta, Wisconsin, is located next to homes, businesses and the La Crosse River. Past wastewater treatment and disposal practices used at the site resulted in soil, groundwater and surface water contamination. As a result, EPA placed the site on the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) in 1984. Cleanup activities included the removal and consolidation of contaminated soil and sludge and the installation of a cap over the lagoon. Access to the site is restricted and deed use restrictions are in place. Groundwater monitoring continued until EPA determined the site was clean and deleted it from the NPL in 1997. Northern Engraving Corporation continues to manufacture metal nameplates, dials and decorative trim for the automotive industry on the 40-acre property.
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Northwestern Barrel
The Northwestern Barrel Superfund site occupies 18 acres on the Lake Michigan shoreline in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The site includes 13 acres of vacant property and a 5-acre residential area. A barrel reconditioning facility operated on the property from the early 1940s until 1964. Site operations included handling, washing and refurbishing steel drums and wooden barrels. These activities contaminated soil and groundwater at the site. EPA did not place the site on the Superfund program’s National Priorities List. However, the site’s potentially responsible parties (PRPs) have conducted cleanup activities under EPA and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources supervision. The PRPs removed contaminated soil and waste. Cleanup workers also installed drain tile depressurization systems in on-site condominium buildings to collect and safely vent away any contaminated vapors from contaminated groundwater beneath the buildings. These systems continue to operate. The PRPs also restored wetlands along the Lake Michigan shoreline and constructed erosion control. The PRPs completed cleanup activities in 2012. Currently, the City of South Milwaukee owns the vacant property at the site. Residential use continues at the Marina Cliffs Condominiums.
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Omega Hills North Landfill
The 83-acre Omega Hills North Landfill Superfund site is located in Germantown, Wisconsin, outside of Milwaukee. From 1977 until 1982, the State of Wisconsin licensed the landfill on site to accept hazardous wastes. The landfill accepted 5,000 tons of hazardous waste and 15 million gallons of liquid waste each year from over 250 Wisconsin industries. The landfill stopped accepting solid waste in 1982 and liquid waste in 1983. Incorrect operation of the landfill’s leachate collection system resulted in groundwater contamination. EPA added the site to the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) in 1984. The landfill closed in 1989. Under state oversight, the site’s owner conducted cleanup activities at the site. The site owner installed additional underground walls and a new system to collect leachate in order to prevent leachate from entering groundwater. The site owner also installed a pretreatment plant for leachate. A landfill methane-to-electricity project begun in 1985 provides power via gas turbine electric generators. EPA deleted the site from the NPL in 1996.
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Sauk County Landfill
The 14-acre Sauk County Landfill Superfund site is located in the Township of Excelsior, Wisconsin. From 1973 to 1983, Sauk County operated the site as a municipal landfill. The landfill received municipal, commercial and industrial wastes. Sauk County closed the landfill in 1983, and capped it with clay. EPA investigated the site in 1984 and 1985 and found a plume of groundwater contamination. EPA added the site to the Superfund program’s National Priorities List in 1989. Site cleanup activities include the installation of a soil cap and gas extraction system at the landfill, as well as groundwater monitoring. Groundwater data indicates that groundwater quality continues to improve. The installation of 12 microturbines in June 2003 allowed the landfill to begin converting methane gas into electricity. Today, the facility has expanded to include 24 microturbines and sells enough electricity back to the utility company to power over 300 homes. The facility is currently the largest landfill microturbine installation east of the Rockies.
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Scrap Processing Co., Inc.
The 2-acre Scrap Processing Co., Inc. Superfund site is located in Medford, Wisconsin. Since the 1940s, the site has operated as a scrap yard, collecting scrap cars, aluminum and other waste metals. From 1955 to 1974 and periodically until 1981, site operations included reclaiming lead from lead and acid batteries. Disposal practices resulted in soil and sediment contamination at the site. EPA placed the site on the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) in 1984. Cleanup activities included draining and disposal of liquid wastes from the unlined disposal pond on site and stabilization and removal of contaminated soil and sediment. Operation of the scrap yard continues at the site.
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Tomah Armory
The 10-acre Tomah Armory Superfund site is located in Tomah, Wisconsin. The City of Tomah operated an open, unlined landfill at the site from the late 1940s until 1955. On-site activities resulted in the contamination of soil and groundwater. The City sold a portion of the site in 1968 to the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (WDMA) for construction of the Wisconsin Army National Guard (ARNG) armory. The armory supports activities associated with the administration, logistical support and readiness of the unit. EPA added the site to the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) in 1987. Cleanup activities included land use restrictions, connection to the public water supply and groundwater monitoring. The PRP continues groundwater monitoring and cap maintenance at the site. The Wisconsin ARNG continues operation of the armory at the site. The City of Tomah operates a wastewater treatment plant on-site.
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Tomah Fairgrounds
The Tomah Fairgrounds Superfund site is located in Tomah, Wisconsin. The site includes 15 acres of a 37-acre fairground. The City of Tomah operated the site as an open, unlined dump, accepting both industrial and municipal wastes from 1955 until 1960. Waste disposal methods and site operations resulted in groundwater and soil contamination at the site. EPA added the site to the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) in 1987. Cleanup activities include land use and groundwater restrictions as well as monitoring of groundwater. EPA deleted the site from the NPL in 2001. Grass covers the site. During fairground events, the City uses the site as a parking lot.
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Waste Research & Reclamation Co.
The 9-acre Waste Research & Reclamation Co. Superfund site is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. A roofing company operated at the site from the 1970s until 1981. The roofing company’s waste handling practices resulted in contamination of groundwater, soil and surface water at the site. EPA added the site to the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) in 1984. Following site investigations, EPA transferred the site to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) program. EPA deleted the site from the NPL in 1993. Waste Research & Reclamation Co. (WRR) bought the site in 1981. WRR continues to operate reclamation and recycling businesses at the site. WRR’s sister company also operates on site.
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