Broad Run Farms

  Hidden Lane Landfill

Facts from Broad Run Farms Civic Association Board 

In response to recent newspaper and television reports regarding the Hidden Lane Landfill in Sterling, Virginia, the Broad Run Farms Civic Association would like to clarify the facts of the newly proposed designation of a Superfund status.   

The Hidden Lane Landfill was closed twenty-three years ago in 1984.  Since 1971, numerous petitions have been submitted regarding the landfill.  A total of thirty-six years have been spent working this issue.    

In February of 2005, Broad Run Farms was informed of Trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination.  In March, 2005, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee met where it was decided that Loudoun County would provide bottled water to those residents directly affected by the contamination until water filtration system could be installed by the Virginia State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).  At the recommendation of the DEQ, a stakeholders group was formed consisting of the State and County Departments of Quality, the County Administrator’s Office and the County Board of Supervisors.  Volunteers from the Broad Run Farms Civic Association including two directly affected residents, two persons not affected and four other board members were included in this group. 

The first stakeholders meeting concluded on September 6, 2005 and since that time, together the Broad Run Farms Civic Association and the stakeholders have attended more than 30 meetings to gather information and inform the residents of possible best options to remedy the situation.  These meetings have also included the Countryside Proprietary. 

Broad Run Farms consists of approximately 300 single family homes.  Less than 10% of the homes have been directly affected by the TCE contamination - some of which demonstrated only traces of the contaminant.  Whether 10% of the residents or 100% of the residents were affected directly by the contamination does not make a difference because we are one community.  For those homes directly affected, a water filtration system has been installed by the Department of Environmental Quality. 

After numerous studies and tests conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and DEQ, the Broad Run Farms Civic Association Board was notified that there was no other reasonable option other than to list the Hidden Lane Landfill on the National Priority List (NPL).  This listing will initiate a federal clean up of the site. The Broad Run Farms Civic Association supports this decision for the health and safety of the residents of the community.  The Civic Association does not make decisions for the neighborhood – it is merely a venue to disseminate information to its residents. Our only position is for the safety and wellbeing of citizens of our community.  We should not leave this mess for our children to clean up. 

In closing, the Board of the Broad Run Farms Civic Association sincerely appreciates the time and effort provided by Loudoun County Chairman Scott York, Vice Chairman Bruce Tulloch, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, County Administrator’s staff, Solid Waste Department, Health Department and all others who have contributed to resolving this situation for our residents and community.

From the Officers of the Broad Run Farms Civic Association.