06/24/2010 // West Palm Beach, FL, USA // Tara Monks // Tara Monks
Alexandria Twp., NJ – The landfill on the Frenchtown-Milford Road near H.J. Opdyke Lumber is leaking rust that is trickling into the Delaware River and creating an orange riverbed, as reported by NJ.com.
The rust, according to a spokesperson from the state Department of Environmental Protection, is harmless, but raises questions as to what else is in the landfill that may pose threats to public health and safety.
The landfill has been closed for years and reportedly still contains a large amount of iron, according to DEP spokesman Larry Ragonese. The oxidized iron, which is mixing with the river water, is naturally reddish or orange, according to Ragonese.
Alexandria Township resident Rick Toone described a common suspicion amongst those living nearby, stating, “This is just the stuff that’s coming out…It makes you wonder what else is in there.”
A councilman described the orange water as “nasty,” and also questioned the other contaminants that may be in the landfill.
A former Millford paper mill worker, whose job was to take paper waste to the landfill, told reporters that there was “nothing really toxic in that dump.”
He also said the landfill was privately owned for years before the paper company bought it. He reported that the paper mill dumped wood and wax paper, but the bottom 15 feet consists of cars, refrigerators and washing machines.
The councilman who described the water as nasty also explained, “There are no meters measuring what’s going into the river…Let’s hope it’s nothing, but let’s have proof.”
The Riegel Paper landfill is not affiliated with the Crown Vantage Superfund landfill, which is approximately a half-mile upstream.
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