Field Office Compliance - Complaint

Complaint ID - 33853
Cedar Rapids/linn Co. Solid Waste Agency #2 Sanitary Landfill - 310202447
1966 County Home Rd Marion, IA 52302-9758
Linn County

FO 1

Complaint ID:
33853
Complainant
(L)
Complaint Location
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Complaint Resolution
Responsible Party
Report
File Name File Type File Date Note
Comments
7/30/2024 On 7/30/24 I visited the landfill and met with Karmen McShane, Jason Evans and Garrett Prestegard. I was informed that the west storm water retention basin that received the water can discharge to the stream, which originates on the landfill property. We observed the stream about 40 feet downstream of the west basin outfall. The stream was slightly turbid but I could see to the bottom, the storm water basin outfall was covered by thick willows. I also observed the material in the west basin that was pumped into it, it appeared to have high total suspended solids. Although this retention basin is about 1 acre in size it appears the water is short-circuiting the length of the basin due to sediment and the pumped material basically entered 1/4 of the basin and discharged via a standpipe. It's possible this discharge could have impacted water quality in the receiving stream. It was agreed that trails will be mowed to allow easier access to the storm water outlets and stream for Mr. Prestegard to observe. It was also agreed that any future pumping of the basin in the landfill cell will go South to the large retention basin that discharges into the wetland before discharging into the stream. Mr. Evans also stated that he had and will shut the pump down if he observes turbid water. In addition, discussion occurred about excavating material out of the west basin, west of the inlet, to eliminate the high spot and mitigate short-circuiting. Mr. Prestegard agreed to collect a sample of the stream below the west basin outlet today and have it analyzed similar to his annual sampling per their NPDES storm water permit. Landfill personnel were encouraged to observe all outlets during several rain events and during pumping events. CHAD KEHRLI
7/30/2024 On 7/29/24 the complainant texted me asking if I had been on site. I informed them of my conversation with landfill manager Jason Evans. They complainant expressed displeasure with me contacting them by phone and not simply going out there. They also stated it was still ongoing. I contacted Mr. Evans and we discussed the issue again. After some conversation he stated they did have an excavator in the fill area where there is soil cover. It was used to haul in a pump used to pump out a storm water retention basin since it was getting full. The basin is located within the landfill cell. I was informed that this water enters a terrace and flows quite a distance before entering another storm water retention basin. Mr. Evans informed me that they are done pumping. CHAD KEHRLI
7/29/2024 This call was received Friday afternoon, 7/26/24. On this same day I reached out to Jason Evans with the Landfill. Mr. Evans returned my call late Friday afternoon. He informed me that the Landfill Engineer was off for a few days and sine he wasn't present to shoot fill elevations for another area they wanted to move to, the stayed in the same area for a few extra days. This created an area that could trap water and then it rained. Jason said a decent size puddle formed and they used a backhoe to dewater the area. He informed me that although it may have looked bad to the public, all water from this event was diverted to the sanitary sewer. CHAD KEHRLI

Compliance Tracking
Action Type Date Completed Date Comment
State of Iowa DNR Home Site Policy
Leading Iowans in caring for our natural resources
Version: 2.3.0.23170
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