Grants Database

Don’t Dump on San Benito (DDOSB) is currently raising awareness of potential water pollution associated with their local county landfill. The John Smith Road Landfill in Hollister, CA is currently in the process of seeking County Board of Supervisors approval to increase the landfill footprint nearly five times in size while also increasing the waste stream from outside the county. This increased daily tonnage could have detrimental impacts on the San Benito County watershed. As rainfall continues to decrease throughout the state, additional strain will be placed upon the watersheds to provide adequate drinking water to its residents. The group will use the funding to work with hydrology experts to identify contaminants that may be affecting the local watershed based on samples that have been collected along the current landfill site and tested for PFAS and other toxic chemicals that are often found in leachate. The group’s goal is to stop the expansion of the landfill and thereby reduce and mitigate any additional water contamination associated with the operation of it. DDOSB will also educate San Benito County residents regarding the potential water pollution associated with the landfill and its expansion. Any findings of contamination associated with landfill operation will be presented to the San Benito County Board of Supervisors before it considers approving the proposed expansion. The group will further work to demand mitigation to the watershed if it is determined the landfill is having a detrimental impact.