Zinc Leak at Landfill

Unbeknownst to us, last May more zinc leached out of Riverbend Landfill than is allowed under its permit or federal law.  DEQ forbids the landfill to discharge more than 0.20 mg/L (milligrams per liter) of zinc during any one storm event.  On May 9, 2014, the landfill measured a discharge of 0.42 mg/L, which exceeded the limit by more than 50%, a "Class I violation."

"Class I violations" are the most serious, and DEQ has issued a pre-enforcement notice to Riverbend.  The notice can result in assessment of civil penalties for each day the Landfill was in violation.

Zinc is an especially toxic substance.  As noted by DEQ in its notice, "Exceeding total zinc permit limits can negatively impact stream habitat and aquatic species."

The website stormwaterx.com describes the effects of zinc this way:

Adverse human impacts:

Zinc is an important dietary element, but concentrations above 5 mg/L can impart an unpleasant taste to water.[i]  Exposure to large amounts of zinc can cause stomach cramps and anemia, and also decrease good cholesterol.[ii]

Adverse impacts on the environment: 

In marine waters, aquatic species suffer acute effects from zinc at 90 μg/L [note:  0.42 mg/L equals 420 ug/L].  Adverse effects of dissolved zinc, including altered behavior, blood and serum chemistry, impaired reproduction, and reduced growth, occur to salmon at very low levels  (5.6 μg/L in freshwater).[iii]  In mammals, ingesting large amounts of zinc can cause infertility and underweight offspring.[iv]

Zinc is often found in the water supply as a dissolve constituent since zinc compounds are highly soluble in water.[xiv] One example is rainwater picking up zinc when coming into contact with galvanized surfaces. Galvanized roofs are a common source of zinc in stormwater. Zinc is also released to the environment through tire wear. Tire tread material contains approximately 1% zinc by weight.[xv]

This is yet one more example of why a landfill should not be sited -- and definitely not expanded -- near our waterways.

To register your disappointment with Waste Management's management of Riverbend Landfill, contact Bob Schwarz at DEQ (SCHWARZ.Bob@deq.state.or.us) and Mike Brandt, Yamhill County Planning Director, at brandtm@co.yamhill.or.us.