Dear Friend,
Over the weekend, the Richmond Times-Dispatch published a story about Shoosmith Landfill located in the center of our district. Today, I want to share with you what I know about this situation. As your elected representative in state government, I feel that it is important to keep you and your family in the loop.
First, I want to note that this is a complex issue. This email is admittedly a bit long, but I want to ensure that I am being thorough and representing the issue as best as I understand it. I have met with both county and state officials to learn more about the problem at hand and will continue to work collaboratively with them in search of a solution.
Sometime in 2023, Chesterfield County began recording elevated ammonia levels at its Proctor Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Following a thorough investigation by county officials, it was alleged that Shoosmith Landfill was both falsifying documents and pumping toxic leachate directly into Swift Creek. Leachate is, as defined by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the liquid that has passed through or emerged from solid waste.
Shoosmith, like other landfills in our state, is required to treat leachate before discharging it into a waterway. In 2024, Chesterfield County revoked a permit for Shoosmith Landfill and it subsequently stopped pumping any leachate into Swift Creek. Instead, they began hauling leachate by truck to an offsite location for treatment. This was not ideal, but it was working to keep toxic leachate out of our local waterways.
In June 2025, Shoosmith Landfill filed for bankruptcy. The court appointed trustees to oversee the landfill using a variety of surety bonds and insurance policies. The process of trucking toxic leachate off site continues presently. This is a costly process. Money from bonds and insurance policies is expected to run out later this fall.
We are now at a point where the Commonwealth of Virginia must consider taking ownership of this landfill and ensuring that toxic leachate remains out of our waterways. This will require the construction of a treatment facility on site, as well as longer term management of the site. The immediate cost for FY27-28 is expected to be around $50 million. These discussions with the Spanberger Administration are currently underway and I will update you as more information is available.
I want to clearly state that there is no immediate public health crisis. Area residents should know that both state and local officials are laser focused on containing this issue. Additionally, there is absolutely no negative impact on Chesterfield’s supply of drinking water.
I know that there are many questions from the public. I just became aware of the full picture a bit earlier this month, and I’m still seeking answers to many of the same questions you have. I am committed to sharing with you as much information as possible when it becomes available to me. Please stay tuned for additional updates over the coming weeks and months.
Sincerely,
Mike Cherry