Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
WINNEBAGO COUNTY
MORRISTOWN

Congressional District # 16

ACME SOLVENT RECLAIMING, INC. (MORRISTOWN PLANT)

EPA ID# ILD053219259
Last Updated: October, 2006

Site Description

The 20-acre Acme Solvent Reclaiming, Inc. site was used as a drum storage and disposal area for wastes generated by Acme's solvent distillation units. From 1960 to 1970, the site consisted of seven waste disposal lagoons and open storage of 10,000 to 15,000 drums. Testing of groundwater found it to contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Soil sampling identified VOCs, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and metals including lead and chromium.

Site Responsibility

This site is being addressed through federal, state, and potentially responsible party (PRP) actions.

Threats and Contaminants

Groundwater contained volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Soil contained VOCs, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and metals, including lead and chromium. 

Cleanup Progress

The investigation at this site was initiated by the State of Illinois, using federal funds, resulting in a decision document in September 1985. Some of the PRPs for the site implemented an unauthorized soil removal in 1986, in which an estimated 90 percent of the contaminated soil at the site was taken to a land disposal facility. The final cleanup decision was signed in September 1990, and this was subsequently modified by two Explanations of Significant Differences, one in June 1994 and the other in February 1998. The remedy included installation of on-site fencing, operation of low temperature thermal stripping and bedrock vapor extraction, tank content disposal and tank removal, installation and operation of a groundwater pump and treatment system, and provision of an alternate water supply to affected homes. A cap for hazardous material left onsite has been constructed.  Construction has been completed, which was documented in the preliminary close-out report dated July 13, 1998. Site monitoring and operation of the groundwater pump and treatment system continue.

Two five-year review reports have been issued, the first dated September 30, 1997 and the second dated September 24, 2002. The second report concluded that the remedy is protective of human health and the environment.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
bernard schorle (schorle.bernard@epa.gov)
(312) 886-4746

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
janet pope
(312) 353-0628

Aliases

ACME SOLVENT RECLAIMING INC
ACME SOLVENT RECLAIMING(MORRISTOWN PLANT
ACME SOLVENT RECLAIMERS INC
ACME SOLVENT RECLAIMING(MORRISTOWN PLANT)
MORRISTOWN PLANT

 

Site Profile Information

This profile provides you with information on EPA's cleanup progress at this Superfund site.