ES Projects
Tumamoc Landfill
- Objectives To ensure the safety of the public and the environment by monitoring, managing, and controlling landfill gas and groundwater quality.
- Location 2100 W. Starr Pass Blvd
- Waste Acreage 21
- Operation Dates 1962 - 1966
- Status Monitored Only Site
- Type Groundwater Protection Project
- Annual Budget approximately $20,000
- Contact City of Tucson - Environmental Services 520-791-3175
- Description The Tumamoc Landfill is located near the intersection of Starr Pass Blvd and Greasewood Rd, at the southwestern base of Tumamoc Hill. This landfill was used for the disposal of municipal solid waste. The landfill is owned and maintained by the City of Tucson. Today the City monitors nine shallow landfill gas probes at the property boundary, and fourteen groundwater monitoring wells surrounding the landfill. Tetrachloroethene (PCE) and nitrates have been detected in the groundwater exceeding regulatory standards. The nitrates are likely due to land uses on surrounding properties (i.e. septic tanks).
- Additional Info Although groundwater contamination has been detected above regulatory standards, there are no Tucson Water drinking water wells nearby.
- Activities Inspections, Landfill Gas Monitoring, Groundwater Monitoring
- Last Update Wednesday Jun 8, 2022
Project Details
Status Updates
- January, April, July, & October
The City conducts quarterly landfill gas monitoring at perimeter probes during these months every year to monitor for methane migration at the property boundary.
- October - December
The City is scheduled to conduct an annual closed landfill inspection during this period. A report will be prepared following this inspection, documenting the site conditions.
- December 2015
The City completed the annual groundwater monitoring report. The report is available under the attachments section of this website.
- September 2013
The City completed placing a soil cap on Tumamoc Landfill as part of the on-going maintenance program. The project was implemented to provide maintenance for the soil landfill cap and install onsite storm water drainage. Prior to the project, the landfill surface was uneven with areas of erosion, and visible areas of exposed trash. Improvements included landfill waste shaping to provide positive drainage, two feet of soil cover, and storm water controls such as drainage swales, rock dams, rocked ditches, and a culvert.
- June 2010
The City completed the 2009 Groundwater and Landfill Gas Monitoring Report. This report is available in the report/attachments section of this website.
- 2002-2004
The City installed 14 groundwater monitoring wells in both the regional groundwater and a perched groundwater layer and began routine monitoring.
- 1995-1998
The City installed shallow landfill gas monitor probes to monitor methane concentrations between the landfill and nearby homes and began routine monitoring.
Pictures
Both pictures are generally focused towards the west over the landfilled area. The picture on the left is prior to placing a maintenance soil cap, and shows the uneven landfill surface , erosion, and trash poking through to the surface. The picture on the right is after the soil maintenance and shows a smooth surface with a gradual slope and rock path for surface water run-off.
Both pictures are generally focused towards the north on the west side of the landfilled area. The picture on the left is prior to placing a maintenance soil cap, and shows the uneven landfill surface. The picture on the right is after the soil maintenance and shows a smooth surface with a gradual slope and straw baffles to help control storm water run-off and prevent erosion.
Several improvements were made to help control storm water flow and prevent soil erosion and potential exposure of landfill refuse. Improvements are new rip-rapped storm water channel (above), straw baffles (upper right) and rock damns (lower right.) The yellow-orange coloring of the soil is from the hydroseeding.
Groundwater monitor well at Tumamoc Landfill. Tumamoc Hill in background.
Attachments
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2017 Annual Monitoring Report
Report documents landfill gas monitoring results conducted in 2017 at Tumamoc Landfill. For additional information contact the Environmental & General Services office at 520-791-3175.
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2016 Annual Monitoring Report
Report documents groundwater and landfill gas monitoring results conducted in 2016 at Tumamoc Landfill. For additional information contact the Environmental & General Services office at 520-791-3175.
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Notice of Maintenance Project
May - August 2013, the city will be placing a soil cap on Tumamoc Landfill as part of the on-going maintenance program. This notice was sent to the neighborhood association.
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Plans for Maintenance Program
The city will be placing a soil cap on Tumamoc Landfill as part of the on-going maintenance program. These are the plans for the project.
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Closed Landfills Inspection and Maintenance Report
The City of Tucson - Environmental Services owns and maintains fifteen closed regulated and non-regulated landfills. This guidance report provides the procedures for inspecting and maintaining those landfills. The text portion of this report is available at this link. To review the full document contact the Environmental Services office at 520-791-3175.