Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY
COLUMBUS

Congressional District # 9

TRI-STATE PLATING

EPA ID# IND006038764
Last Updated: October, 2006

Site Description

For approximately 35 years prior to 1981, the Tri-State Plating facility located in Bartholomew County, Indiana, was used by Hull Industries and Quality Plating Service Company.  The site covers approximately 1.5 acres.  In 1981, Tri-State Plating purchased the facility and begun electroplating operations.  Contamination problems first were detected at the facility when the Bartholomew County Health Department and the Indiana State Board of Health (ISBH) inspected the site and found that soils contained high concentrations of cyanide and other heavy metals in the ground water.  In 1984, after finding that Tri-State Plating was discharging contaminated wastewater, the city of Columbus instructed the company to install a treatment system to control contaminated wastewater discharged to the city's sewer systems.  Later in 1984, when a treatment system was not installed, the city blocked off the sewers leading from the Tri-State Plating facility and shut off the company's water supply.  Tri-State Plating discontinued operations in 1984. 

The nearest residence is adjacent to the site's boundary and approximately 2,000 people live nearby the site.  The city of Columbus has approximately 30,000 people, some of whom are served by a well field located near the site. 

Site Responsibility

This site was addressed using federal funds.

Threats and Contaminants

The ground water was contaminated with chromium.  The soil was contaminated with heavy metals, which included cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and arsenic.  The ground water posed an unacceptable risk if individuals were exposed via ingestion and/or direct contact. Two water bodies Haw Creek and White River located near the facility also had the potential of being contaminated by the hazardous materials historically present at the site. 

Cleanup Progress

On June 5, 1987, a fence was constructed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prevent site access; and, on August 26 and 27, 1987, 20 drums containing inorganic materials were removed and disposed of at a permitted hazardous waste disposal facility.  On September 24, 1987, EPA removed and disposed of seven more drums, and collected seven samples of building material that included ceiling bricks, and floor materials.   In the fall of 1987,  EPA  performed a limited soil removal action, which included decontamination of the building located on-site. 

An Expedited Response Action (ERA) was conducted in 1989.  During the ERA contaminated soil was excavated and backfilled with clean soil.  All on-site structures were decontaminated and demolished.  The soil, building debris, and asbestos containing materials found during the course of cleanup were sent to either state or federally-regulated landfills.  The excavated area was backfilled with clean soil, the fence was removed, and the site was re-graded and revegetated. 

The site cleanup alternative was determined and documented in  Record of Decision (ROD), signed on March 30, 1990.  The remedy for the facility was to extract and treat the contaminated ground water using the existing on-site extraction wells.  The ground water remediation goals were met in 1995, and all cleanup activities were completed in the spring of 1997. This site was deleted from the National Priorities List on July 14, 1997.

Property Reuse

The site is currently available for unlimited use and unlimited access.

Contacts

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

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
mike joyce
(312) 353-5546

Site Profile Information

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