Galena Landfill Smolders, Neighbors Demand Action

Residents in Galena, Kansas, are raising serious concerns about a smoldering landfill operating near their homes and the historic Route 66. For the past three years, individuals like Tammy Allen have reported experiencing headaches, nausea, and vomiting, which they attribute to persistent and strong odors from the site. The landfill is operated by Jordan Disposal LLC and is situated on a former Superfund site with a history of lead and zinc mining contamination.

These environmental worries have escalated, prompting a group named Neighbors for Clean Air to advocate for increased oversight and remediation. Two residents have initiated a class action lawsuit against Jordan Disposal LLC, alleging inadequate management of contaminants like hydrogen sulfide gas and leachate. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued warnings to Jordan Disposal regarding exceeding hydrogen sulfide limits and failure to adequately address a subsurface fire that began in March 2026.

Compounding these issues, the landfill was certified as a construction and demolition landfill in 1997, but an expansion in 2011 allowed it to accept debris from Joplin, Missouri, following a major tornado. This debris was dumped on an unlined surface, leading to resident skepticism about the effectiveness of waste screening. Soil tests in some residents' yards have revealed lead levels requiring remediation, further fueling fears about the long-term environmental impact on the community.