State tests show radioactive contamination in stormwater at West Lake Landfill.
The sampling of stormwater overflow, conducted on April 30 as heavy rains pounded the region, found levels of alpha particle activity that exceed the threshold allowed for drinking water.
EPA officials said that even those additional tests would not be able to conclusively trace radionuclides to the landfill, since low levels of radioactivity can occur naturally.
"This is not drinking water and drinking water standards are inapplicable," said Russ Knocke, the company’s vice president of communications and public affairs, in a statement.
Knocke added that capping the site — a remedy the company supports and one that was nearly pursued in 2008 — would "eliminate community concerns like this once and for all."
"There are plenty of examples in the historical record of how radioactive material could’ve moved off site at the landfill."
At the very least, Smith says additional stormwater testing is merited, including a comparison of the site’s radioactivity levels to ambient readings found elsewhere in the area.
And he feels that more sweeping, systematic testing of the landfill of its surroundings is also justified.
"The EPA hasn’t adequately tested the landfill," Smith said.
"There’s been some off-site testing but there hasn’t been close to comprehensive off-site testing of the landfill, just like there hasn’t been close to comprehensive on-site testing."