Disposal of fruit processing waste, including fruit pomace mixed with diatomaceous earth, has occurred at the Prosser Pomace Pit site. The waste appears to be producing heat in excess of 1000F as it decomposes. A person recently fell into the material and was severely burned on the legs. The landowner intends to dissipate the heat and dispose of the waste by tilling it into the native soil as an amendment if no chemical contamination is detected above Washington State Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) levels. On April 18, 2011 START and ERRS mobilized to the site for a removal evaluation. A temperature gun was used during the site work measured temperatures in the waste in excess of 1000 degrees F. While there, ERRS bull-dozed a fire break around the two pits of waste and placed fencing around the outer perimeter of the fire break. START collected four samples of the material for lab analysis.
EPA started the final cleanup work on 10/17/2011.
