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Closed San Antonio Landfill

General information on the City of Albuquerque Closed San Antonio Landfill.

Location – San Antonio Drive West of I-25 to Louisiana Boulevard

Dates of Operation – 1968 - 1970 by the City of Albuquerque

Acres – 42.9 acres

Estimated Original Amounts of  Waste – 470,000 tons or 941,000 cubic yards

Depth to Groundwater and Direction – 310 to 350 feet and flows to the east-southeast

Site Description

The closed San Antonio Landfill is located along San Antonio Drive between I- 25 to the west, Louisiana Boulevard to the east, the wide median (with power transmission lines) to the north, and South Pino Arroyo to the south.  The 42.9 acre landfill operated from 1968 to 1970.  Approximately 470,000 tons (941,000 cubic yards) of household, construction and demolition waste was landfilled in the arroyo and borrow pits. The waste thickness varies from 5-30 feet with an average soil cover thickness of 5.5 feet.   

Seven individual developments have occurred at the landfill.  Landfill waste has been excavated below each occupied building and approximately 208,000 tons of wastes remain.  Each development has complied with the City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department guidelines.  During construction of the east bound San Antonio Drive the waste was not removed but dynamically compacted. 

In 2003, 39 landfill gas monitoring wells were installed around the perimeter.  Each well contains three probes at depths of approximately 10, 20, and 30 feet.  Landfill gases are rarely detected during monitoring events.  Monitoring of wells installed by private owners within the landfill has measured landfill gas readings consistent with a developed landfill.  Each development has passive or active landfill gas treatment in accordance with the approved development plan.

Two groundwater monitoring wells were installed in 1996.  Annual analytical results show all constituents below actionable levels.

The buffer zone for this landfill is established at 500 feet from the landfill boundary.  Building projects and development projects located within the buffer zone are reviewed by the City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department for landfill gas impacts.

Current Status

  • Continue semi-annual landfill gas and annual groundwater monitoring.
  • Development is anticipated for 2016 but no plans have been submitted.

Project Documents