colbert landfill

ELK-CHATTEROY RD

The Colbert Landfill site spans 40 acres and is located two miles north of Colbert, Washington. From 1968 through 1986, the landfill received municipal and commercial wastes. Between 1975 and 1980, a local electronics manufacturing company disposed of spent organic solvents at the landfill. These wastes typically were brought to the landfill in drums and were poured down the sides of open trenches containing soil and ordinary municipal refuse. During the same period, Fairchild Air Force Base disposed of various solvent wastes at the site. In 1980, nearby residents became concerned over the disposal practices. Several private drinking water wells were sampled and found to contain solvents. The landfill was allowed to fill to capacity and then closed in 1986. The site is located in a semi-rural area; approximately 1,500 people live within three miles of the site. Nearby residents operate small crop and livestock farms. The Little Spokane River is located approximately one half mile from the site.