9204_Wake_Sorrell_MSWLF_DevelopmentSummary_FID1830543_20240214

Sorrell Landfill, Solid Waste Permit Number 92-04
Notes Compiled February 14, 2024
Sorrell Landfill 11X17 N1 ..1
The Sorrell Grading Company operated the unlined landfill for disposal of municipal solid waste, construction
and demolition waste, and land clearing and inert debris, at least as early as 1973 off SR 1303 for sanitary landfill
use. The approval letter was issued to Montague and Sorrell Grading Contractors on April 10, 1973 for 17.22
acres. Currently, a total of 65.21 acres are included within the landfill boundary, and the landfill ceased
operations in 1994. The landfill consists of three parcels with three different property owners. Clyde Sorrell had
lease agreements with two property owners. Currently one parcel is owned by Sorrell Grading (Estate), one
parcel is owned by Griffins, and one parcel is owned by KK Land, Inc. In 2002, a Trust Fund Agreement was
established for routine monitoring, assessment, and corrective actions for water quality and methane in addition
to maintenance of the soil cap and landfill property.
Solid waste and hazardous substances were disposed at the landfill, including a variety of agricultural chemicals
in the 1970s, many of them later banned from further use in the United States. Since the closure of the landfill,
volatile organic compounds, inorganic constituents, and 1,4-Dioxane have been detected and have exceeded
regulatory limits in groundwater and surface water at the landfill both on property and at off -property assessment
wells located on Herndon Lane. Two events of PFAS sampling have been conducted in 2023 with detections in
groundwater and surface water. Methane gas concentrations have also exceeded the lower explosive limits at
certain monitoring points at the facility property boundary and off -property on Herndon Lane.
There are two residences located on Herndon Lane adjacent to the landfill (5100 Herndon and 5101 Dye). These
residences have drinking water wells, and 5100 was last sampled for volatile organic compounds by Wake
County Environmental Services in 2015. At that time, there were no volatile organic compounds detected in the
drinking water well. The address with 5101 was not occupied during that time and was not sampled. Wake
County Environmental Services has stated that they will not assist the Solid Waste Section with sampling of
these two drinking water wells anymore.
In 2022, the adjacent parcels (0 Jessie) to the west of Herndon Lane were purchased by a developer (Deed
Book 019103, Deed Page 00782) and then sold to the builder DR Horton. Grading has occurred, and water,
sewer, and utilities were completed in 2023. Construction of houses is scheduled to begin Spring of 2024 with
the first phase of the development being adjacent to the landfill approximately 30 feet from the landfill property
boundary.
May 3, 2023 phone conversation with Mr. Evan Kane, Wake County Environmental Services:
Discussed sampling of drinking water wells to determine if Wake County is conducting the sampling as indicated
in the semiannual monitoring reports for the landfill from S&ME, Inc. The October 2022 report (FID 1792094)
stated,
"It is our understanding that the Wake County Department of Environmental Services, Water Quality
Division regularly samples the potable wells on the adjacent properties to the south of the landfill (Dye

and Herndon properties) as a precautionary measure to protect the users of these potable wells. S&ME
recommends the results of this sampling event be provided to Wake County for consideration in deciding
protective measures for the potable wells and their users."
Mr. Kane stated Wake County is not sampling those wells, and Ms. Drummond told him that she would provide
an email with a DEQ Laserfiche link to the most recent monitoring report that stated that the County was regularly
sampling the drinking water wells.
Ms. Drummond sent an email to Mr. Kane on May 3, 2023 with the report link. Mr. Kane responded to the email
on May 3, 2023 indicating that the statement in the report was incorrect.
June 27, 2023 Methane Monitoring — May 23, 2023 from S&ME, Inc. to the Solid Waste Section (FID 1809471).
Page 8 of the document indicated two photos taken showing the property south of the landfill that is under
development. Based upon a review of the document on June 30, 2023, Ms. Drummond had phone conversations
with to Mr. Watkins with the Solid Waste Section, Mr. Watts with S&ME, Inc., and left voicemail messages with
the Town of Apex Planning (Ms. Dianne Khin and Ms. Amanda Bunce). On July 10, 2023, Ms. Drummond left
voicemail messages again with the Town of Apex Planning (Ms. Dianne Khin and Ms. Amanda Bunce). On July
10, 2023, Ms. Bunce called Ms. Drummond to inquire about the developer and the plans for the development
adjacent to the landfill. Ms. Bunce stated that she was not aware of the issues regarding the landfill. She further
stated that the development has been approved to move forward, and she will provide the plans. On July 10,
2023, Ms. Bunce emailed Ms. Drummond the plans (sheets) and the contact information for the new development
called Horton Park.
On July 11, 2023, Ms. Drummond emailed Ms. Bunce and called Mr. Witak listed as the project manager of
Horton Park by the Town of Apex. Ms. Drummond received a phone call from Mr. Reiter who is the
owner/developer of the property. Mr. Reiter stated that the property has been sold to DR Horton, and the
development will have utilities, water and sewer. He also stated that a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment
(ESA) was completed by both him and DR Horton. Then due to the methane exceedances at the landfill and
the Colonial Pipeline, a Phase 2 ESA was completed by both him and DR Horton. Mr. Reiter stated that the
Phase 2 ESA showed no methane on the development property. Mr. Reiter was willing to have a conversation
with the Solid Waste Section.
On August 3, 2023, Ms. Drummond called Mr. Reiter regarding having a Microsoft Teams meeting with the Solid
Waste Section. Mr. Reiter and Ms. Drummond determined it would be on August 16, 2023 based upon
everyone's schedules.
On August 16, Mr. Reiter, Mr. Mussler, Mr. Watkins, Mr. Suggs, and Ms. Drummond had a Microsoft Teams
meeting to discuss the development and the Solid Waste Section's concerns. Mr. Reiter stated that it would be
slab on grade construction, and the lots backing the landfill would be fully graded and have water and sewer.
During the conversation, the Solid Waste Section asked Mr. Reiter to speak to DR Horton regarding our
questions about the specifications of the HOA wall proposed to be installed between the new houses and the
landfill, and the landfill gas ESAs that were conducted.
On September 25, 2023, Ms. Drummond emailed Mr. Reiter regarding if he had an opportunity to speak to DR
Horton regarding our questions about the specifications of the HOA wall proposed to be installed between the
new houses and the landfill, and the landfill gas ESAs that were conducted.
On September 26, 2023, Mr. Reiter called Ms. Drummond regarding the email that was sent to him. Mr. Reiter
stated that there are no plans for any fences, DR Horton has done extensive studies and does not see a problem,
recently Lots 322-325 (Sheet C104) on the western edge of the property closest to the landfill were graded 15
feet from the original grade (of five feet) adding 15 feet of soil, Lot 324 is located closest to landfill gas monitoring
well MMW-4 at the landfill and a five-foot auger reading on Lot 324 indicated 0% methane, and there will be no
land disturbance in the 30 foot buffer from the landfill property boundary.
On September 27, 2023, Ms. Drummond emailed Mr. Mussler, Mr. Watkins, and Mr. Suggs regarding her phone
conversation with Mr. Reiter.