Cleanup at Neal's Landfill was completed in Fall of 1999. Low level contaminants (less than 50ppm) were consolidated on site and capped. The EPA has approved Viacom's Cap Inspection and Maintenance Plan, and piezometers show no water is infiltrating into the landfill. However, there are continuing concerns with releases of PCBs through the groundwater system. The North and South Springs which rise at the Landfill are contaminated with PCBs, and they flow into Conard's Branch, and thus Richland Creek, both of which are thus contaminated.

1. Conard’s Branch (EPA Only)[Viacom 1]
2. Richland Creek near Vernal Pike (EPA Only)[Viacom 2]
3. Richland Creek near Intersection of 43 and 48 (IDEM only)
4. Richland Creek South of Hendricksville by 43 Overpass (EPA Only)[Viacom 3]
5. Richland Creek Northwest of Solsberry near 490N and 800 (EPA & IDEM)
6. Richland Creek East of Bloomfield by 54 Overpass (EPA & IDEM)

They collected several species – Longear Sunfish (Whole Fish), White Sucker/Black Redhorse/Carp (Whole Fish), Spotted Bass (Fillet), and Rock Bass (Fillet). They are doing PCB analysis with some dioxin-like congener analysis as well. Fish tissue data are undergoing validation. 25 samples of sediment were also taken to check for PCBs, and Location 1 and 3 contained low levels of PCBs.

Viacom has installed new v-notch weir in Conard’s Branch for more accurate flow data, and so the USGS gaging stations were abandoned this fall. The IU Treatability Study for high flow funded by Viacom has been completed, and data is being analyzed.

Sampling was done during two storms during Summer of 2001.

• The storm of July 4, 2001 was a 7,000 gpm storm. Specific Conductance, PCBs and TSS were measured, and there was sampling at Conard’s Branch and the Overflow Springs. Peak PCB levels of 8.4 ppb were detected.
• The storm of July 4, 2001 was a 6,500 gpm storm and they used 30-minute sample intervals on the rising limb of the hydrograph. They measured specific conductance, PCBs and total suspended solids. Peak PCB levels of 3.2 to 4.2 ppb PCBs were found. Peak levels of PCBs occured within 1 hour of onset of the storm. Specific conductance data indicates a common conduit source for the Overflow Springs.

Recent blasting at the nearby Roger's Stone Quarry has dropped the water level in nearby wells from 14 to 24 feet. IDEM is investigating, and Roger's has supplied the affected homeowners with tanked water. Viacom is monitoring flow data, and has yet to notice any changes at the landfill, although a new spring has formed near the corner of Oard Road and Vernal Pike.

In a period from June through December 2000, the data collected suggests that over half a pound of PCBs flowed into Conard's Branch, and the EPA feels this is far too much mass being released. (During a ride past the site (Nov 23, 2001), your webmaster noted cows drinking from Conard's Branch, as well as a great blue heron fishing there.) EPA is compiling a historical flow chart and PCB mass summary as an aid to further understanding the situation. The EPA is writing a ROD amendment for expansion of the current 450 gal/min water treatment plant. As the data from the USGS overflow gauges has shown, far too much water is escaping treatment. The original plant was engineered with the premise that no PCBs were escaping into Conard's Branch (which drains the Neal's Landfill watershed). This is obviously an incorrect assumption - a half pound of PCBs in a watershed each six months is significant.

The Consent Decree Parties have started an investigation of the Neal's Landfill drainage basin, including the Cave Road area. Water flows northwest from about 400 acres into the basin that feeds the springs at Neal's. To divert the water from this system would reduce the amount needing to be treated, but it would add to flooding in the Cave Creek watershed, which comes out at the Richland Springs on Garrison Chapel Rd. Peak flows from the springs into Conard's Branch have been reduced by 50% since 93-94. The EPA feels this is the result of detention ponds that have been built in conjunction with new construction at Fieldstone and Park 48 and work at the Monroe County Airport. It is theorized that there could be an overflow swallet or subsurface overflow conduit that is not being activated due to the reduction in surface water.