Records Show Shoosmith Landfill Contaminated Swift Creek Years Ago

TL;DR: Virginia environmental records reveal that Chesterfield's Shoosmith landfill was discharging waste into Swift Creek back in 2021, years before the facility filed for bankruptcy.

Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality documented landfill gas condensate from Chesterfield's Shoosmith landfill discharging into Swift Creek as far back as June 2021, according to recently reviewed records. This contamination occurred years before the landfill eventually went bankrupt. The discovery raises questions about how long the discharge continued and what oversight existed to catch and address the problem.

Why it matters: The contamination may have affected the health and quality of Swift Creek, a waterway used by Chesterfield residents for recreation and fish populations, and suggests regulatory gaps that could indicate similar issues at other county facilities.

Read the source at WTVR CBS 6 Local →