EPA to clean up former Charlestown landfill

August 2008

U.S. Water News Online

CHARLESTOWN, R.I. — Federal environmental officials plan to begin removing hazardous waste from a former Charlestown landfill to prevent the toxins from contaminating nearby drinking water.

Officials at the Environmental Protection Agency said the clean up at the Kenyon Piece landfill will start later this month. The effort will take about six months.

Investigators found seven pits with buried drums and containers in various stages of decay at the landfill.

Soil and groundwater sampling showed the area was contaminated with lead and volatile organic compounds. The drums will be removed and the area will be filled with clean dirt.

EPA officials said they don't know how many drums are buried at the site or where they came from.