Superfund Sites Near You: Barkhamsted, Connecticut

A Superfund site is a location that has been contaminated by environmental pollutants and listed on the Environmental Protection Agency's clean up list. A more detailed description of what a Superfund site is can be found at Wikipedia.org or just click here. The Superfund list includes sites all over the United States of America and is funded by the Federal Government. Money for Superfund sites is dependent on government priorities. The Superfund cleanup list changes annually as some sites are cleaned and new sites are found.

Why is Barkhamsted on the Superfund list?

In 1974, the Barkhamsted-New Hartford Landfill Superfund site began to receive industrial waste products in the form of oily sludge, volatile organic compounds, and trace heavy metals. The contaminated landfill was not set up to receive these environmentally dangerous compounds.

How is the Barkhamsted site dangerous?

There is an unnamed creek near the contaminated area which through a wetland and into the Farmington River where recreational fishing is popular. Also, the presence of volatile organic compounds at the Barkhamsted landfill, that are not properly stored, create a host of potentially dangerous problems as the compounds build up pressure underground.

How did the Barkhamsted Superfund site gain notice?

In 1983, a State inspection crew discovered leaking barrels of hazardous solvents at the Barkhamsted landfill. Groundwater tests at the site found contaminants in the form of vinyl chloride, xylene, and toluene.

What happened after the tests at the Barkhamsted Superfund site?

Since the completion of the tests at the Barkhamsted Superfund site, the Farmington Valley Health District has shut down the on-site well. Under terms of an agreement between the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Barkhamsted landfill owner had a protective cap designed for the site, as well as runoff collection system, and system to catch landfill gases. There is also a long-term action plan in place at the Barkhamsted landfill site to ensure groundwater clean-up.

Who is responsible for this mess?

A list of potential parties responsible for the clean-up at the Barkhamsted Superfund location can be found at Scorecard.org or just click here to read the list.

A PDF description of the issues found at the Barkhamsted site can be found at Noaa.gov, or you can click here and the Environmental Protection Agency detailed summaries can be found on their website at Epa.gov or just click here.