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U.S. EPA REGION 5
LAKE COUNTY
GARY

Congressional District # 01

MIDCO II

EPA ID# IND980679559
Last Updated: August, 2006

Site Description

Midco II is located in Lake County, Indiana. Midco II includes a 7-acre disposal area having highly contaminated groundwater, plus about 4-acres that include contaminated sediments, and additional highly contaminated groundwater. From January through August 1977, this site was used for the storage of waste solvents and other wastes in tanks and drums, storage of reclaimable materials, neutralization of acids and caustics, and dumping of wastes. In August 1977, a site fire consumed or damaged an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 drums. The site is in an industrial area, and there are no residences, located within 1,000 feet of the site.

Site Responsibility

Early investigations and removal actions were federally funded. Subsequent actions were conducted by private parties who may be responsible for the contamination, under federal and state oversight. The private parties have also reimbursed nearly all Federal and State costs.

Threats and Contaminants

Following removal of surficial wastes, the subsurface soil and groundwater were still highly contaminated. Contaminants affecting the groundwater include volatile organic compounds such as methylene chloride, benzene, toluene, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, and ethyl benzene (these are all liquids that easily evaporate); other organic compounds such as isophorone; metals such as arsenic, barium, chromium, nickel, copper and lead; and cyanide. The groundwater is so highly contaminated with salts that it can not be discharged to surface water after treatment. Sediments and soils are contaminated with similar substances as well as PCBs and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.

If no action was taken, direct contact with or accidental ingestion of contaminated groundwater, surface water, sediments, or soil would be a threat. Until the site is cleaned up, these risks are being controlled by a site fence, on-site staff, and a temporary soil cover.  If no action was taken, migration of contaminants through the groundwater may threaten the offsite aquifer and downstream wetlands, but the pump-and-treat system is now preventing further off-site movement of the groundwater contamination.  Until the final remedy is in place, contaminated sediments may adversely affect wildlife and plants in or around the wetlands, but these sediments are not moving off-site, and the wetlands are of low value. There would be human health risks if the site or groundwater was developed in the future. This risk is being controlled through notices in the deed that restrict usage of the site.

 

 

Cleanup Progress

In 1981, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) enclosed the site with a fence. From 1984 to 1989, U.S. EPA removed and disposed of all wastes on the site and excavated and disposed of contaminated soil and wastes from the sludge pit and filter bed. In 1985, a group of private parties entered an agreement with U.S. EPA to conduct sampling to locate the extent of soil and groundwater contamination, and to evaluate cleanup methods. The sampling and evaluation was conducted from 1985 to 1989. 
 

In a 1989 decision document as amended in 1992, U.S. EPA decided that the cleanup should include: 

In January 1992, private parties entered into an agreement with U.S. EPA to implement the cleanup, and formed the Midco Remedial Corporation (MRC). Construction started in 1993 with the consolidation of contaminated sediments onto the site and construction of the deep well. During 1994 to 1996, the MRC constructed and tested the pump-and-treat system, and in February 1996 initiated continuous operation. In December 1999, U.S. EPA determined that the pump-and-treat system was undersized. The MRC designed and constructed an expanded system, which started operating in February 2003. The pump-and-treat system may have to continue operating for many years to meet the groundwater cleanup action levels.

During 1993 to 1997, EPA and the MRC cooperated in conducting treatability studies for soil treatment by solidification/stabilization. Although soil vapor extraction is well documented to be effective in removing VOCs from the soil, the treatability studies demonstrated that it would be difficult for solidification/stabilization to treat all of the other contaminants of concern. For that reason during 2000 to 2001, EPA allowed the MRC to test use of injection of chemicals to treat the subsurface soils, but the test results were not promising.

In May 2004, U.S. EPA completed the second five-year review, which concluded that the groundwater cleanup portions of the remedy were functioning as intended in the ROD, but that implementation of the soil cleanup had been delayed, and that this delay may be prolonging the groundwater cleanup. In September 2004, U.S. EPA formally approved changes to the soil treatment requirements in the ROD, including:

The MRC constructed part of the soil vapor extraction and air sparging system in October and November 2003, and conducted pilot testing of this portion of the system.  The the soil vapor extraction and air sparging system was constructed from October 2003 through December 2005, and the system started continuous operation in February 2006. It is expected that the soil vapor extraction and air sparging system will operate for several years, after which the highly contaminated soil will be excavated (or treated by solidification/stabilization) and the site cover will be installed.  The system has been successfully removing volatile organic compounds, but to date the air sparge system has only been operated at low rates because of concern about pushing vapors beyond the soil vapor extraction system and excessive water entry into the soil vapor extraction system.  The soil vapor extraction system and air sparging system has been inoperable since June 2007 because of vandalism, but is now in the process of being repaired.      

Community Involvement

During the last ten years or so, this site has not attracted much attention from the public.

Congressional Interest

During the last ten years or so, there have been no specific congressional inquiries. 

Property Reuse

Usage of the site property is restricted by deed notices.  In September 2007, the City of Gary passed an ordinance prohibiting installation of new wells for potable water usage, and all usage of the unconsolidated aquifers for potable water usage.  The Gary-Chicago Airport has projections that include use of the Midco II property as part of the airport.  In 2004, an Environmental Impact Statement was completed for the expansion of the airport, but this expansion does not include the Midco II property.  It is possible that the site cover can be designed to accommodate the future development needs of the Gary-Chicago Airport.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
richard boice (boice.richard@epa.gov)
(312) 886-4740

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
stuart hill
(312) 886-0689

Site Profile Information

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

 

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