Hidden Lane Landfill Concerns in Countryside Neighborhood in Sterling (buying a home, buying)

[bargainhigh]

Hello! My husband and I are buying a home in the Countryside Neighborhood. We are just now learning about the Hidden Lane Landfill and wondering if that should be a concern?
Thanks very much!

[Margery]

This was thoroughly covered in recent issues of the Loudoun Independent. I suggest you research back issues either on line or at the library and not rely on comments on this forum, which may or may not be accurate.

[bargainhigh]

Thanks! We found the articles online and it seems to be a concern for Broadrun Farms well water and the house we are buying is not in the area of the landfill.
Thank you

[mimitche]

I wouldn't be concerned. The big issue is possible groundwater contamination and Countryside is on the county water system so it isn't impacted.

[bargainhigh]

Thank you so much!!

[mdcrim]

The Hidden Lane landfill only directly affects those who rely on well water in the proximity of the landfill. Cascades is on public water and sewer. It's Broad Run Farms who all have wells. You should be just fine.

[Chris Walther]

I am considering buying a home in the CountrySide development. Unfortunately, I am having difficulty finding adequate information about the many possible threats this landfill poses to this community. Has anyone in the CountrySide Community had their homes tested for the accumulation of TCE gas? Has anyone had the soils on their property tested? Are there any predictable or recurring odors unique to the area? I would greatly appreciate any feedback to any of these questions.

I know this seems to be a sensitive topic for residents of the area - BUT - sunlight is the best disinfectant - and the devil you know is always better than the one you don't - so PLEASE SHARE.

Also, I know there is a multi-part article entitled, "The Hidden Truth about Hidden Lane," but I can't seem to find a link to the whole article anywhere. Does anyone know where I can find it?

[JfromReston]

My understanding is this is primarliy a tricholoroethlyene groundwater site. You should be able to find the volatile organic concentrations (TCE and others) in groundwater via the EPA website or by calling the EPA Remedial Project Manager or Community Involvement Corrdinator.
Hidden Lane Landfill | Mid-Atlantic Superfund | US EPA

Remedial Project Manager
Fred MacMillan
215-814-3201
macmillan.fred@epa.gov

Community Involvement Coordinator
Larry C. Johnson
215-814-3239 or 800-553-2509
johnson.larry-c@epa.gov

The following link is for the EPA model used to calculate air concentration in confined spaces (homes).
Johnson and Ettinger (1991) Model for Subsurface Vapor Intrusion into Buildings | Solid Waste and Emergency Response | US EPA

[Chris Walther]

I understand that the primary concern is well water in the Broad Run Farms neighborhood, but I have read that TCE (and others), when concentrated enough, can migrate upward through soil (where air pressure is high) and be sucked into a leaky house foundation (where air pressure is low). So why has the EPA not tested for TCE in the basements of the CountrySide homes? I am frustrated by the fact that testing seems to be confined to the Broad Run neighborhood when logically the bulk of the toxic material from the landfill will move northeast (with the watershed) toward northwest CountrySide and Algonkian Elementary - and even in Broad Run I have not read about any air/soil quality testing. I don't mean to overstate the threat, but I think these are important tests that need to be done ASAP if they have not happened already.

[Mike from back east]

My in-laws lived in Broad Run Farms (BRF) since the late 1950s, living on Young's Cliff Rd facing the river, not all that far from where the road dead-ends.

In 1982 my MIL contracted Bone Marrow Cancer, aka Multiple Myloma and she passed in mid-1983 after extensive suffering. The house has well and septic, typical of BRF. My MIL did not work outside the home and was in the home almost constantly. Some family members still live in the home but without health concerns - so far. I'm told that their well water was tested and found to be un-contaminated. Still, who knows what were the effects of the landfill, especially the info about TCE gasses. Myself, I would NOT trust any home in BRF, regardless of water source.

Here's an old newspaper story about the TCE and wells in BRF.