Virginia State Delegate Mike Cherry said on May 26 that the Shoosmith Landfill, located in the center of his district, is facing a complex situation involving environmental concerns and financial instability. Cherry said he has met with both county and state officials to learn more about the problem and will continue working collaboratively in search of a solution.
Cherry explained that in 2023, Chesterfield County began recording elevated ammonia levels at its Proctor Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. After an investigation by county officials, it was alleged that Shoosmith Landfill was falsifying documents and pumping toxic leachate directly into Swift Creek. Leachate is defined by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality as liquid that has passed through or emerged from solid waste.
Shoosmith Landfill, like other landfills in Virginia, is required to treat leachate before discharging it into waterways. In 2024, Chesterfield County revoked Shoosmith’s permit for this process after these allegations surfaced. The landfill then began hauling leachate by truck to an offsite location for treatment. Cherry said this solution “was not ideal, but it was working to keep toxic leachate out of our local waterways.”
In June 2025, Shoosmith Landfill filed for bankruptcy and court-appointed trustees began overseeing operations using surety bonds and insurance policies. The offsite trucking of toxic leachate continues but is costly; funds from bonds and insurance are 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,” Cherry said. He added that constructing an onsite treatment facility would be necessary, with immediate costs for fiscal years 2027-28 estimated at around $50 million. Discussions with the Spanberger Administration are underway regarding next steps.
Cherry emphasized there is no immediate public health crisis: “Area residents should know that both state and local officials are laser focused on containing this issue.” He also stated there has been no negative impact on Chesterfield’s drinking water supply.
Cherry concluded by saying he became aware of the full picture earlier in May and remains committed to sharing updates as more information becomes available over coming weeks.
Cherry, a Republican, was elected to the Virginia State House in 2024 to represent the state’s 74th House district, replacing previous state representative Lamont Bagby, according to Richmond Times-Dispatch.
