EPA Awards $1.5 Million to Universities for Sustainable Drinking Water Treatment Methods; University of Gainesville Among Recipients

Press release:

EPA Awards $1.5 Million to Universities for Sustainable Drinking Water Treatment Methods; University of Gainesville Among Recipients

Contact Information: Davina Marraccini, (404) 562-8293, marraccini.davina@epa.gov

(ATLANTA – Sept. 6, 2012) Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced almost $1.5 million in funding to three universities to develop sustainable drinking water treatment methods. The research grants are funded through EPA’s Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program. These grants, which supplement last year’s grants to eight other universities, are intended to provide innovative treatment methods to protect people’s health by keeping harmful contaminants out of drinking water.

In 2010, EPA announced a new drinking water strategy to strengthen protections against contaminants in drinking water and promote cost-effective new technologies to meet the needs of communities across the country struggling with water challenges. The research sponsored by these grants will help satisfy the key goals of this strategy.

The grantees are:

•           University of Florida, Gainesville and University of South Florida, Tampa – identifying, testing, and evaluating the sustainability of ion exchange processes that can treat entire groups of chemical contaminants.

•           Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y. – engineering, developing, and demonstrating an integrated process comprised of membrane technology and electrical discharge plasma generated via a novel reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) electrode material.

•           University of Nevada, Reno – quantifying the range of drinking water contaminants and contaminant classes that can be removed by membrane distillation, and developing and testing a small-scale pilot system that operates using waste heat

There are approximately 157,000 public drinking water systems in the U.S. regulated by EPA, states, or tribes that provide drinking water to 90 percent of Americans. More than 290 million people living in the U.S. rely on the safety of tap water provided by public water systems that are subject to national drinking water standards.

EPA’s STAR grant program supports human health, ecology, economics and engineering sciences through grants, centers, and fellowships.

More information on the grants: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/dwtreatment

More information on EPA’s new Drinking Water Strategy:   http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/dwstrategy/index.cfm

More information on STAR grants: http://epa.gov/ncer/

EPA Awards $15 Million to Assist U.S. Small Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems

Press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 6, 2012
EPA Awards $15 Million to Assist U.S. Small Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded nearly $15 million in funding to provide training and technical assistance to small drinking and wastewater systems – those serving fewer than 10,000 people – and to private well owners. The funding will help provide training and tools to improve small system operations and management practices, promoting sustainability and supporting EPA’s mission to protect public health and the environment.

“Small systems form the backbone of our nation’s public water system and it is a priority for EPA to help them to meet water quality standards and provide clean water to communities,” said Nancy Stoner, EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water. “This funding and technical assistance is part of EPA’s continuing efforts to promote sustainability and public health protection for communities served by small systems.”

EPA awards include:

• Nearly $7 million to the National Rural Water Association and nearly $3 million to the Texas Engineering Extension Service, which together will provide training and technical assistance for small public water systems across the country to achieve and maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act;

• $2.5 million to New Mexico Environmental Finance Center to help small systems improve their financial and managerial   capabilities that will enable these systems to effectively provide safe drinking water over the long-term;

•  $2 million to the Rural Community Assistance Partnership to work with small publicly-owned wastewater systems on treatment and operations issues and to help private well owners;

•  $500,000 to the Rural Community Assistance Partnership to provide training and technical assistance to tribally-owned and operated public water systems.

More than 97 percent of the nation’s 157,000 public water systems serve fewer than 10,000 people, and more than 80 percent of these systems serve fewer than 500 people. Many small systems face unique challenges in providing reliable drinking water and wastewater services that meet federal and state regulations. These challenges can include a lack of financial resources, aging infrastructure, management limitations and high staff turnover.

For more information on EPA’s programs and tools to help small water systems, visit:
http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/sdwa/smallsystemsrfa.cfm

R150

EPA Awards Over $16.9 Million to the State of Louisiana to Assist in Funding Safe Public Drinking Water Systems

Press release:

EPA Awards Over $16.9 Million to the State of Louisiana

to Assist in Funding Safe Public Drinking Water Systems

(DALLAS – August 23, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals $16,962,000 to provide low cost loan assistance to eligible public drinking water systems for infrastructure improvements. The funds are being granted through the EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to ensure safe drinking water for Louisiana residents.

The Safe Drinking Water Act established the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to make funds available to drinking water systems for infrastructure improvements. The program also emphasizes providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities and programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water.

Additional Information on EPA grants is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/gandf/index.htm

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

# # #

EPA Completes Drinking Water Sampling in Dimock, Pa.

Press release:

EPA Completes Drinking Water Sampling in Dimock, Pa.

PHILADELPHIA (July 25, 2012) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it has completed its sampling of private drinking water wells in Dimock, Pa. Data previously supplied to the agency by residents, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Cabot Oil and Gas Exploration had indicated the potential for elevated levels of water contaminants in wells, and following requests by residents EPA took steps to sample water in the area to ensure there were not elevated levels of contaminants. Based on the outcome of that sampling, EPA has determined that there are not levels of contaminants present that would require additional action by the Agency.

“Our goal was to provide the Dimock community with complete and reliable information about the presence of contaminants in their drinking water and to determine whether further action was warranted to protect public health,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin.  “The sampling and an evaluation of the particular circumstances at each home did not indicate levels of contaminants that would give EPA reason to take further action.  Throughout EPA's work in Dimock, the Agency has used the best available scientific data to provide clarity to Dimock residents and address their concerns about the safety of their drinking water.”

EPA visited Dimock, Pa. in late 2011, surveyed residents regarding their private wells and reviewed hundreds of pages of drinking water data supplied to the agency by Dimock residents, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Cabot.  Because data for some homes showed elevated contaminant levels and several residents expressed concern about their drinking water, EPA determined that well sampling was necessary to gather additional data and evaluate whether residents had access to safe drinking water.

  

Between January and June 2012, EPA sampled private drinking water wells serving 64 homes, including two rounds of sampling at four wells where EPA was delivering temporary water supplies as a precautionary step in response to prior data indicating the well water contained levels of contaminants that pose a health concern.  At one of those wells EPA did find an elevated level of manganese in untreated well water.  The two residences serviced by the well each have water treatment systems that can reduce manganese to levels that do not present a health concern.

As a result of the two rounds of sampling at these four wells, EPA has determined that it is no longer necessary to provide residents with alternative water.  EPA is working with residents on the schedule to disconnect the alternate water sources provided by EPA.

Overall during the sampling in Dimock, EPA found hazardous substances, specifically arsenic, barium or manganese, all of which are also naturally occurring substances, in well water at five homes at levels that could present a health concern. In all cases the residents have now or will have their own treatment systems that can reduce concentrations of those hazardous substances to acceptable levels at the tap.  EPA has provided the residents with all of their sampling results and has no further plans to conduct additional drinking water sampling in Dimock.

For more information on the results of sampling, visit: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/states/pa.html .

EPA to Hold Public Meeting on Plan for the Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Superfund site in South Plainfield, New Jersey

Press release:

EPA to Hold Public Meeting on Plan for the Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Superfund site in South Plainfield, New Jersey

Protecting Drinking Water EPA Priority

Contact: Elias Rodriguez, 212-637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y. – July 20, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a plan for the contaminated ground water at the Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Superfund site in South Plainfield, New Jersey that will prevent its use as a source of drinking water. The ground water associated with the site, located at 333 Hamilton Boulevard in South Plainfield, became contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and volatile organic compounds from past industrial activities. PCBs are likely cancer causing chemicals and can have serious neurological effects. Volatile organic compounds can cause serious damage to people’s health. Under a plan proposed by the EPA today, the ground water will be monitored and the use of that ground water will be restricted.

The ground water at the Cornell-Dubilier Electronics site is contained within underground layers of rock and soil. Municipal water supply wells in Middlesex County draw ground water from some portions of the rock formations to the north of the site. The plan proposed today will require enhanced and continued monitoring of the ground water and will prevent the contaminated site ground water from being used as a source of drinking water in the future. The Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Superfund site is part of a Borough of South Plainfield redevelopment area.

The EPA will hold a public meeting on Tuesday August 7, 2012 at 7 p.m. to explain the proposed plan and is encouraging public comments. The meeting will be held at the South Plainfield Senior Center located at 90 Maple Avenue, South Plainfield. Comments will be accepted until August 20, 2012.

Cornell-Dubilier Electronics, Inc., manufactured electronics parts at the 26-acre facility from 1936 to 1962. PCBs and solvents were used in the manufacturing process and the company disposed of PCB-contaminated materials and other hazardous wastes at the facility property.

Because of the nature and complexity of the contamination at the site, the EPA divided the investigation and cleanup into four phases. The proposed plan announced today is for the third phase of the long-term cleanup.

Under the first phase of cleanup, which is continuing, the EPA has cleaned up nearby residential, commercial, and municipal properties. PCB-contaminated soil has been removed from four residential properties near the former facility property. EPA has since identified eight additional properties and expects to begin to clean up these properties in August 2012. This work will be completed before the winter. Investigations are still being performed on several other properties as part of this phase of the cleanup.

Under phase two of the cleanup, the EPA cleaned up the contaminated buildings and soils at the former facility property. EPA has demolished 18 contaminated buildings and removed 26,400 tons of building debris off-site to be disposed of properly. The EPA has also excavated approximately 21,000 tons of contaminated debris and soil from an undeveloped area of the facility. Using $30 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, the EPA continued the second phase of cleanup by treating contaminated soil on-site using a technology that heats the material so that contaminants can be pulled out and captured. Soil that could not be cleaned using this method was taken off-site for disposal at a licensed facility.

The third phase of the long-term cleanup, and the phase that is the subject of the proposed plan announced today, focuses on the contaminated ground water. After extensive soil and ground water studies, the EPA has concluded that it is not feasible to treat the contaminated site ground water because of the complex rock formations underlying the site. The depth, nature and variety of the rock formations would present extreme technical challenges for any active treatment. The EPA is proposing to install additional ground water monitoring wells to monitor the ground water and to put into place restrictions that will prevent the use of untreated ground water as drinking water. In addition, the EPA’s plan calls for periodic sampling to ensure that potentially harmful vapors from the contaminated ground water do not seep into nearby buildings. Recent periodic indoor air testing inside nearby buildings shows that vapors are not currently getting into the structures.

In the fourth and final phase of the long-term cleanup, the EPA will focus on the contaminated sediment of the Bound Brook. The potential for ground water contamination to impact surface water and sediment in the Bound Brook is also being evaluated as part of this phase. A cleanup plan for phase four is expected in 2013.

The Superfund program operates on the principle that polluters should pay for the cleanups, rather than passing the costs to taxpayers. After sites are placed on the Superfund list of the most contaminated waste sites, the EPA searches for parties responsible for the contamination and holds them accountable for the costs of investigations and cleanups. To date, the EPA’s cleanup costs for this site exceed $133 million. The EPA will seek to recover some of its costs from the parties responsible for the contamination.

Written comments may be mailed or emailed to:

Diego Garcia, Remedial Project Manager

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Region 2

290 Broadway – 19^th floor

New York, N.Y. 10007-1866

(212) 637-4947

garcia.diego@epa.gov

           

For more information on the Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Superfund site, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/cornell.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.

12-092                                                             # # #

$181,638 Grant to St. Louis Community College, St. Louis, Mo., for Drinking Water Job Training

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7

901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations

$181,638 Grant to St. Louis Community College, St. Louis, Mo., for Drinking Water Job Training 

Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, lancaster.kris@epa.gov (news media only)

Environmental News 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., July 11, 2012) - EPA has awarded $181,638 to St. Louis Community College (STLCC), St. Louis, Mo., for drinking water job training.

EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks said, “From EPA’s standpoint, it is essential that we groom talented and committed young people into drinking water fields in order to meet the need and shortage of experts in this important industry. The certification training is essential to successful job placement in this field.”

The training meets requirements set by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for drinking water treatment certification. The core curriculum focuses on the skills necessary for entry-level jobs at drinking water facilities. It includes sessions on water quality monitoring, green infrastructure, operations, maintenance, mathematics, and drinking water regulations.

EPA oversees the protection of water quality and public health. The responsibility for ensuring safe drinking water is shared by EPA, states, tribes, water systems, and the public.

# # #

EPA Releases Draft Permitting Guidance for Using Diesel Fuel in Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 4, 2012
EPA Releases Draft Permitting Guidance for Using Diesel Fuel in Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing

Guidance will clarify means of compliance with 2005 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released draft underground injection control (UIC) program permitting guidance for class II wells that use diesel fuels during hydraulic fracturing activities. EPA developed the draft guidance to clarify how companies can comply with a law passed by Congress in 2005, which exempted hydraulic fracturing operations from the requirement to obtain a UIC permit, except in cases where diesel fuel is used as a fracturing fluid.

The draft guidance outlines for EPA permit writers, where EPA is the permitting authority, requirements for diesel fuels used for hydraulic fracturing wells, technical recommendations for permitting those wells, and a description of diesel fuels for EPA underground injection control permitting. The draft guidance describes diesel fuels for these purposes by reference to six chemical abstract services registry numbers. The agency is requesting input on this description.

While this guidance undergoes public notice and comment, decisions about permitting hydraulic fracturing operations that use diesel fuels will be made on a case-by-case basis, considering the facts and circumstances of the specific injection activity and applicable statutes, regulations and case law, and will not cite this draft guidance as a basis for decision.

EPA continues to work with states, industry and other stakeholders to help ensure that natural gas is developed safely and responsibly.

EPA will take public comment on the draft guidance for 60 days upon publication in the Federal Register to allow for stakeholder input before it is finalized.

More information: http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/class2/hydraulicfracturing/hydraulic-fracturing.cfm
R075

EPA to Work with Drinking Water Systems to Monitor Unregulated Contaminants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 1, 2012

EPA to Work with Drinking Water Systems to Monitor Unregulated Contaminants

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today published a list of 28 chemicals and two viruses that approximately 6,000 public water systems will monitor from 2013 to 2015 as part of the agency’s unregulated contaminant monitoring program, which collects data for contaminants suspected to be present in drinking water, but that do not have health-based standards set under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

EPA will spend more than $20 million to support the monitoring, the majority of which will be devoted to assist small drinking water systems with conducting the monitoring. The data collected under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR 3) will inform EPA about the frequency and levels at which these contaminants are found in drinking water systems across the United States and help determine whether additional protections are needed to ensure safe drinking water for Americans. State participation in the monitoring is voluntary. EPA will fund small drinking water system costs for laboratory analyses, shipping and quality control.

The list of contaminants to be studied includes total chromium and hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium-6. Addressing hexavalent chromium in drinking water is a priority for EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. In January 2011, EPA issued guidance to all water systems on how to assess the prevalence of hexavalent chromium and in the March 2011 proposal for UCMR 3, EPA invited comments on whether the agency should include chromium in the final rule. Public comments received by EPA were strongly supportive of adding total chromium and hexavalent chromium for monitoring.

“The monitoring that will take place will provide EPA with invaluable information about what municipalities are seeing in their drinking water all across the country,” said EPA acting assistant administrator for Water Nancy Stoner. “The results of this multi-year monitoring effort will help inform EPA’s work to ensure Americans receive safe drinking water.”

EPA selected the contaminants by first reviewing the agency’s contaminant candidate list, which highlights priority contaminants that need additional research to support future drinking water protections. The contaminants on the list are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems. However, they are not addressed by existing national drinking water standards. Additional contaminants of concern were selected based on current occurrence research and health-risk factors.

EPA has standards for 91 contaminants in drinking water, and the Safe Drinking Water Act requires that EPA identify up to 30 additional unregulated contaminants for monitoring every five years.

For more information, visit: http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/ucmr/ucmr3/index.cfm

R074 

EPA agreement with oil production companies ensures safe drinking water for Poplar, Montana

EPA agreement with oil production companies ensures safe drinking water for Poplar, Montana

Agreement with Murphy, Pioneer and Samson requires continued groundwater monitoring and contingencies for treatment or alternate supply

(Denver, Colorado—March 26, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached an agreement with three oil production companies operating on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana requiring the companies to address groundwater contamination threatening the City of Poplar’s public water supply system.

The agreement with Murphy Exploration & Production Co. (Murphy), Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. (Pioneer), and Samson Hydrocarbons Co. (Samson) requires the companies to continue to monitor the City of Poplar’s public water supply monthly and provide treatment or an alternate drinking water source if water quality degrades to a point that presents a public health risk. These requirements will remain in effect until a new and safe source of drinking water is secured by the City of Poplar. The agreement also requires the companies to pay $320,000 to the City to reimburse costs related to water infrastructure and relocating water wells.

The administrative order, issued under the Safe Drinking Water Act, replaces an emergency order issued by EPA in December 2010. The companies had previously appealed this order in federal court, which referred the case to a mediation process. The agreement announced today is a result of that process.

“Murphy, Pioneer and Samson have made a commitment to ensure that the City of Poplar’s taps remain safe,” said Jim Martin, EPA’s regional administrator in Denver. “The companies will continue to monitor water quality and will take all actions necessary to maintain an uninterrupted supply of safe water to residents.”

Over the past several years, groundwater sampling results indicate that contamination related to production in the East Poplar oilfield has reached the City of Poplar’s water supply.

The source of this contamination is produced brine, highly saline wastewater containing trace metals, inorganic salt concentrations, and volatile organic compounds. EPA estimates that more than 40 million gallons of brine entered the drinking water aquifer over the span of five decades. The direction of the brine plume movement is generally toward the City of Poplar.

While treated water from the City of Poplar’s water system is currently safe to drink, monthly samples collected by the oil companies indicate an upward trend in total dissolved solids, chloride and sodium. Under the order announced today, EPA and the companies have identified trigger values that will allow time for action before the public water supply presents any health risks. If these values are met, the companies will take immediate steps to secure additional treatment or provide alternative water to ensure contamination levels are below human health thresholds.

A long-term alternative water source for the City of Poplar is currently being developed through construction of a pipeline from the Missouri River. The City also has plans to relocate its water wells to secure a back-up supply. These efforts are expected to be completed as early as this year.

EPA, the State of Montana, the Fort Peck Tribes, the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies have been aware of groundwater contamination in the East Poplar oil field for several decades. Various studies have been done in the area, and the nature, extent and movement of the plumes are relatively well known. EPA has addressed past contamination through four Safe Drinking Water Act orders issued to production companies between 1999 and 2004. Murphy, Pioneer and Samson are, directly or through corporate acquisition, historic oil producers in the East Poplar oil field.

Poplar is the seat of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes. The Poplar-area public water system, the Fort Peck Tribe Water Resource, serves approximately 3,000 people, including tribal and non-tribal households.

News Release from EPA Region 9

For Immediate Release:  February 21, 2012
Contact:  Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, higuchi.dean@epa.gov     

                             
EPA awards over $6.7 million to the Guam Waterworks Authority for wastewater and drinking water projects

HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded over $6.7 million as part of a yearly grant to the Guam Waterworks Authority to improve drinking water and wastewater systems on Guam.

 “The $6.7 million that EPA is providing Guam will go towards meeting critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure standards on the island. The future health of Guam's economy is dependent on securing clean air, water and land,” said Jared Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator of EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. “There is still a lot of work to be done by GWA to improve both these systems to meet health and environmental goals.”

The wastewater funds will be used for system wide asset inventories, sewer system evaluations and assessments, hydraulic model development, and master planning activities to identify and prioritize projects.  In addition, funds will be used for critical sewer pump station repairs.

Funding for the drinking water system will be similarly used for system wide asset inventories, condition assessments, hydraulic model development, and master planning activities to identify and prioritize projects for improving Guam’s drinking water system.  Funds will also be used to assist GWA in meeting groundwater monitoring requirements. 

                        ###

Follow the U.S. EPA's Pacific Southwest region on Twitter: http://twitter.com/EPAregion9 and join the LinkedIn group: http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/1823773/

EPA Seeks Comments

News release from EPA Region 2:

EPA Seeks Public Input on Plan for Cleanup at

American Cyanamid Superfund Site in Bridgewater Township, N.J.

Contact: Elias Rodriguez, 212-637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y. - Feb. 16, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a cleanup plan for contaminated soil, ground water and six waste disposal areas at the American Cyanamid Superfund Site in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, located on the Raritan River. The soil, ground water and waste disposal areas, called impoundments, are contaminated with volatile organic compounds and other hazardous materials. The ground water underlying the site is highly contaminated with benzene. Area residents are serviced by a public water supply that provides a safe source of drinking water.

The EPA is encouraging the public to comment on the plan through March 31, 2012 and will hold a public meeting on March 8, 2012 at 7:00 PM at the Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School, 14 Vogt Drive, Bridgewater, New Jersey.

"The cleanup plan for the American Cyanamid site is an important milestone in the EPA efforts to protect the health of people who live or work near the facility and water quality in the Raritan River," said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “EPA encourages the public to comment on the proposed plan and to learn more about it at the March 8 public meeting.”

Many volatile organic compounds are known to cause cancer in animals and benzene can cause cancer in people. Some volatile organic compounds have no known health effects. The extent and nature of potential health effects depend on many factors, including the level and length of exposure.

The American Cyanamid Superfund site has a history of industrial pollution dating back to 1915. For nearly 100 years, prior owners used the location for manufacturing chemicals. The site was placed on the federal Superfund list in 1983 after hazardous chemicals were found in the soil and ground water. The 435-acre Superfund site contained various areas used for the disposal of chemical sludge and other waste. In 1998, the EPA deleted 140 acres of the site from the Superfund list after they were evaluated and determined to be acceptable for redevelopment. The TD Bank Ballpark Stadium was subsequently built on a portion of the area. In 2009, Pfizer Inc. assumed responsibility for the American Cyanamid site as part of its purchase of the Wyeth Holding Corporation, a prior owner.

Because of the nature and complexity of the contamination at the site, the EPA divided the investigation and cleanup into phases. The plan announced today is the first phase of the cleanup. The proposed plan announced today details approaches to address contaminated soil, ground water and six waste disposal areas (Impoundments 3, 4, 5, 13, 17 and 24). Two additional impoundments (Impoundments 1 and 2) are the focus of a separate study to consider the feasibility of options to address them.

The highly toxic material in Impoundments 3, 4, and 5 will be treated at their current locations by introducing a mixing agent into the waste to make it more solid. This treatment method is a proven technology that immobilizes contaminants to prevent their migration. After this step, the waste disposal areas will be covered with a barrier system that traps vapors and prevents contaminated air from escaping into the atmosphere.

The soil at the site will be addressed using three different methods depending on the extent of the pollution in the soil. Soil that consists of tarry material or is highly toxic, similar to the waste within Impoundment 3, 4, and 5, will be excavated and combined with the material in the three impoundments. It will be treated with the existing waste in Impoundments 3, 4 and 5. Soil that contains volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds will be covered with a vapor control barrier and mitigation system to prevent the release of vapors into the air. Soil that has a lower level of pollution will be covered by a 24-inch thick engineered cap that will serve as a barrier that prevents direct contact. Additionally, the EPA will conduct an ecological study of the waste in Impoundments 13, 17 and 24, which are located in the flood plain of the site, to determine the appropriate treatment for these materials.

A currently operating ground water collection system, which has already treated millions of gallons of contaminated ground water at the site, will be improved by relocating the primary extraction wells to a more central location. Several new extraction wells will be added to enhance the efficiency of the ground water collection system. In addition, a recovery system for collecting and treating shallow contaminated ground water from portions of the site will be constructed at several locations. This system will prevent contaminated ground water from seeping into the Raritan River, Cuckhold’s Brook and Middle Brook. The details of these improvements will be developed during the remedial design phase of the cleanup project.

The proposed plan also calls for the placement of controls such as legal restrictions on land use to minimize the potential of future exposure and to ensure that the cleanup measures are not disturbed. Throughout the cleanup, monitoring will be conducted to ensure the effectiveness of the remedy. The EPA will conduct periodic reviews to ensure that the cleanup remains protective of public health and the environment.

The EPA is accepting public comments on the proposed plan until March 31, 2012. Written comments may be mailed or emailed to:

Joseph Battipaglia, Remedial Project Manager

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

290 Broadway, 19th Floor

New York, New York 10007-1866

Email: Battipaglia.joseph@epa.gov

The EPA has a website to inform the community about the site at: http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/american_cyanamid.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.

12-017                                                             #   #   #

Construction at Sunrise Landfill

News release from EPA Region 9:

For Immediate Release: February 15, 2012

Media Contact:  Margot Perez-Sullivan, perezsullivan.margot@epa.gov 

Major operations begin on $25 million construction at Sunrise Landfill

Las Vegas Paving Company to perform work, 40 local construction workers employed

SAN FRANCISCO – Republic Services of Southern Nevada has begun large-scale construction work under oversight by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at Sunrise Landfill, a 440-acre closed municipal solid waste landfill, located three miles outside of Las Vegas city limits in Clark County.

The $25 million construction project, expected to last through 2012, was awarded to Las Vegas Paving Company and will employ 40 local construction workers.  The project stems from a 2008 Consent Decree requiring Republic, the landfill operator, to install extensive stormwater controls, an armored cover, and landfill gas monitoring system; complete and monitor a groundwater monitoring system; and develop a long-term operation and maintenance strategy. 

“EPA is requiring this work to protect a vital drinking water source for communities from Las Vegas to Phoenix,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “This will prevent the release of over 17 million pounds of contaminants each year.”

Under the settlement, Republic is utilizing clean diesel technology to place 1 million cubic yards of soil and rock within the site. These efforts are especially important because diesel exhaust is linked to reduced lung capacityand asthma, and is a likely human carcinogen.

The EPA-approved remedy ensures effective control of the landfill with a durable and cost-effective landfill cover and stormwater system that address the unique geographic and climatic characteristics of Nevada’s arid desert landscape.  Since 2008, five new groundwater monitoring wells have been drilled and 41 wells completed for quarterly sampling, as well as 30 landfill gas monitoring probes installed around the perimeter of the landfill. 

An inadequate cover and stormwater system coupled with a storm in September 1998 resulted in a discharge of waste into the Las Vegas Wash and, ultimately, Lake Mead -- a primary drinking water resource for southern Nevada, including the Las Vegas metro area, as well as the Phoenix metro area and southern California. 

Sunrise Mountain Landfill is unlined and contains more than 18 million tons of waste, including municipal solid waste, medical waste, sewage sludge, hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, asbestos, and construction waste. 

The landfill was operated on behalf of the County by entities related to Republic Services of Southern Nevada from the 1950s through 1993. Following the landfill cover failure in 1998, EPA cited Republic Dumpco and the Clark County Public Works Department for violations of the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. At that time, EPA ordered the company to implement stormwater control plan; repair the existing drainage system; upgrade the landfill cap to federal standards; control and monitor methane and groundwater; and submit a plan to maintain and monitor the site.

 For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/waste/sunrise and http://www.epa.gov/region9/waste/features/sunrise-landfill

###

EPA Awards Over $380,000 to Improve Drinking Water Treatment

News release from EPA Region 6:

EPA Awards City of Andrews, Texas, Over $380,000

to Improve Drinking Water Treatment System

(DALLAS – February 10, 2012) A grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will help improve the drinking water treatment system in Andrews, Texas. The grant for $388,000 will be used by the city to install a filtration and reverse osmosis system to reduce arsenic and fluoride levels in drinking water provided to municipal customers. Exposure to high levels of arsenic can result in kidney disease, as well as lung and liver cancer and excessive levels of fluoride in drinking water can result in abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Once completed, the project will improve the health of Andrews residents.

Additional Information on EPA grants is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/gandf/index.htm

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

EPA audio file is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/feb2012.html

# # #

Drinking Water Grant to Plattsburg, MO

News release from EPA, Region 7:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7

901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations

$364,000 Grant to Plattsburg, Mo., for Drinking Water Improvements

Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, lancaster.kris@epa.gov (news media only)

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Feb. 9, 2012) - EPA has awarded $364,000 to Plattsburg, Mo., for improvements to its drinking water system. The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2013.

EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks said, “The City of Plattsburg recognized the need for drinking water improvements and is taking proactive measures to provide safe drinking water now and in the future. This grant will partially fund the construction project which is estimated to cost $661,800.”

The purpose of the project is to increase the capacity of the current water transmission main which conveys water from the water treatment plant to the distribution system. The construction will include approximately 9,200 feet of 16-inch iron pipe, water valves and fire hydrants. This will reduce numerous leaks that have recently occurred. Such leaks can cause low water pressure and introduce contaminants to the water.

EPA oversees the protection of water quality and public health. The Safe Drinking Water Act protects human health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply. The responsibility for ensuring safe drinking water is shared by EPA, states, tribes, water systems, and the public.

# # #

Why Inject Drinking Water Underground?

An earlier post had to do with a comment period for proposed changes in a permit to inject drinking water into an underground aquifer.  A visitor to this blog asked why would anybody want to inject drinking water into an underground aquifer in an area with abundant drinking water supplies?

I found this at the web site of the Joint Powers Water Board of Albertville - Hanover - St. Michael, MN:

Current & Upcoming Construction Projects

The Joint Powers Water Utility is a Pioneer in Minnesota

The Joint Powers Water Board recently constructed what is referred to as aquifer storage and recovery (ASR), and it is the first such system in Minnesota. The primary purpose for us is to provide adequate storage capacity of treated water without the need to build additional treatment plants and water towers. We will take already treated/filtered water from the distribution system during the slower winter months, pump it into the ground to be pumped back out during the summer peak water demands. This results in a tremendous cost savings to you, the customer.

EPA Announces Comment Period for Permit Changes

From EPA Region 5:


For Immediate Release

No. 12-OPA006

EPA Announces Comment Period for Injection Well Permit Changes in Wright County, Minn.

CHICAGO (Jan. 26, 2012) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced the start of a public comment period on a request from the Joint Powers Water Board to make changes to its current permit for injecting treated drinking water into the Mount Simon-Hinkley aquifer. EPA will accept written comments until Feb. 21.

Comments should be addressed to William Bates, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (WU-16J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-3590 or bates.william@epa.gov. For questions and additional information, contact William Bates at 312-886-6110 or call EPA's toll-free line at 800-621-8431, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weekdays.

Draft documents and more information about public comment procedures are available on EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/r5water/uic/.

Official records are also available at the Great River Regional Library, St. Michael Branch, 11800 Town Center Drive, N.E, St. Michael.

###

Safe Drinking Water for Louisiana

News Release from EPA Region 6:

EPA Awards Over $470,000 to Provide Safe, Reliable Drinking Water to Louisiana Residents

(DALLAS – January 25, 2012)   A new grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will help provide safe, reliable drinking water to the people of Louisiana.  The grant for $474,382, given to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH), will be used to manage the state’s drinking water program.  These activities include attaining and maintaining safe drinking water quality standards, supporting the state’s public drinking water systems, and compliance, enforcement and technical assistance.

Additional information on EPA grants:  http://www.epa.gov/region6/gandf/index.htm
More about activities in EPA Region 6:  http://www.epa.gov/region6
EPA audio file is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/jan2012.html

# # #

Envtl. Justice Grant to Prevent Lead Poisoning & Restore Wetlands

News Release from EPA Region 2:

EPA Environmental Justice Grants to Help New York City Communities Prevent Lead Poisoning and Restore Wetlands

Organizations in Northern Manhattan, the South Bronx and Jamaica to Receive Funds

Contact: Elias Rodriguez, 212-637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y. - Jan. 23, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing $75,000 to two New York City organizations to help them address public health and environmental problems in Northern Manhattan, the South Bronx and Jamaica, New York. West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc. (WE ACT) will receive $50,000 to test homes for lead and conduct research on the best ways to detect lead hazards in households in Northern Manhattan and the South Bronx. The Rockaway Waterfront Alliance will be provided $25,000 to train students to restore wetland habitats.

“EPA environmental justice grants provide much needed funds to tackle local pollution problems in low income communities," said Judith A. Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. "Lead poisoning can have serious and long-term effects on children’s abilities to learn. The environmental justice grant to WE ACT will advance our knowledge about how to best protect thousands of New York City children from lead poisoning. The Rockaway Waterfront Alliance will educate middle school and high school students about water pollution and give them the skills they need to be the next generation of environmental stewards.”

It is estimated three-quarters of U.S. residential dwellings built before 1978 contain some lead-based paint. Lead poisoning in children can have serious, long-term consequences including learning disabilities, hearing impairment and behavioral problems.

WE ACT will use the grant funds to conduct a research project that will expand scientific knowledge on the best ways to detect lead poisoning hazards in homes. The research will identify potential sources of lead in dust particles in homes, public drinking water systems and consumer products. The organization will enlist 100 residents to have their homes tested for lead. The field testing will look at the differences between having people test for lead using an instructional DVD or being instructed by a field technician. Simple lead dust wipe tests costs $40 to perform compared to a professional lead inspection, which costs approximately $500. If the cheaper test can first be performed to reliably determine whether a more robust and expensive test is needed, this will increase the number of homes identified as having lead hazards and save money for residents.

The Rockaway Waterfront Alliance will use its grant funds to create a Rockaway Youth Marine Conservation Corps in Jamaica, New York to restore wetland habitats. The group will launch a year-long wetland restoration program that will train low-income high school and middle school students about water pollution problems around Jamaica Bay. The bay is severely impacted by sewage and chemical pollutants, which has damaged water quality. Students will participate in oyster gardening along the Sommerville and Norton/Conch Basins and design and implement projects that involve their schools and communities in the cleanup and restoration of the Jamaica Bay.

Environmental justice means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in the environmental decision-making process. Since 1994, the environmental justice small grants program has provided more than $23 million in funding to community-based nonprofit organizations and local governments working to address environmental justice issues in more than 1,200 communities. The grants further EPA’s commitment to expand the conversation on environmentalism and advance environmental justice in communities across the nation.

More information on the Environmental Justice Small Grants program and a list of grantees: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html

12-011                                                             # # #