BAY MINETTE, Alabama — Independent test results should be complete in two weeks to determine the source of arsenic and vinyl chloride detected at Magnolia Landfill, according to a report presented to Baldwin County Commissioners Wednesday by Solid Waste director Jim Ransom.

Ransom said engineers last week conducted borings up to 40 feet deep to detect groundwater flow and levels of toxins through core samples.

In the north and east areas of the Summerdale-area landfill, 50-foot bores were conducted.

“It is our contention that the chemicals are coming from outside the landfill,” Ransom told Commissioners.

The Magnolia Sanitary Landfill was formerly Outlying Field Magnolia, a U.S. Navy airfield. Research regarding past use of the site as a U.S.Navy Airfield will be performed, as well as an informal site assessment to identify any possible sources of vinyl chloride, and the need for additional subsurface investigation, if needed.

In the event additional subsurface investigation is needed regarding the presence of vinyl chloride, an additional work plan assessment will be brought before the Baldwin County Commission for consideration.

On Feb. 7, the Baldwin County Commission adopted an agreement with CDG Engineers to begin the alternate source survey.

Subsurface tests began Feb. 16, according to Ransom. Soil borings were collected and are being analyzed.

“Statistically significant” levels of arsenic and vinyl chloride were noted last year, but Ransom said the chemicals might be a “naturally occurring phenomenon” and seasonal.

Commissioners ordered continual monitoring to determine more specific extent and content of the groundwater migration.

The county received a letter from ADEM dated Nov. 17, addressing the results of a March 2011 groundwater monitoring event at the Magnolia Sanitary landfill. The Magnolia Sanitary landfill uses six groundwater monitoring wells for the collection of groundwater samples.

Samples collected from two wells returned a statistically significant increase for arsenic and vinyl chloride.