Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
KENT COUNTY
WYOMING TOWNSHIP

Congressional District # 03

CHEM CENTRAL

EPA ID# MID980477079
Last Updated: September, 2006

Site Description

The Chem Central site is located in Wyoming, Kent County, Michigan. Since 1957, Chem Central has distributed industrial chemicals from this two acre site. Between 1957 and 1962, hazardous wastes entered the ground at the facility through a construction flaw in a pipe used to transfer liquids between rail cars and bulk storage tanks. The flaw was repaired after losses were noted in chemical inventories. In 1977, the state found the toxic contaminants (volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and chlorinated solvents) in sediments in a ditch, located 1,000 feet from the site. The state dammed the ditch and restricted access by fencing and posting signs. United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) excavated sludge from the ditch in 1978 and with state assistance continued to sample soil and groundwater that seeped into a pit. A 1984 state court order required Chem Central to clean up the groundwater and remove contaminated soils from the ditch. The site is located in an industrial area. Approximately 15,000 people live within one mile of the site. The nearest residence is within one-tenth mile from the site. All residences are connected to the Grand Rapids municipal water supply which draws water from Lake Michigan and the Grand River. Surface water runoff from the site drains into Cole Drain which also drains other industrial sites nearby. Cole Drain flows into Plaster Creek which is located one-half mile north of the site. 

Site Responsibility

The site is being addressed through federal, state and potentially responsible parties actions.

Threats and Contaminants

Groundwater contains various VOCs and semi-VOCs. The soil is contaminated with phthalates, VOCs, and polychlorinated biphenyls. Plaster Creek receives runoff from the site through Cole Drain. Because all residences in the area use the municipal water system, the only threat of exposure is through accidentally ingesting contaminated groundwater or by coming into direct contact with contaminated onsite soils. 

Cleanup Progress

In 1984, Chem Central designed and constructed a purge well and an under drainage system to capture contaminants seeping into the groundwater that originated from onsite. The company also constructed an air stripping system to treat the extracted groundwater for discharge into the municipal wastewater treatment system. A vapor phase carbon adsorption system treats the off-gases from the air stripping system. In addition, Chem Central excavated, removed, and disposed of contaminated soil and water from the ditch in a federally-approved facility. The empty pit was filled with clean soil. These cleanup activities were completed in 1985.

In 1987, Chem Central entered into an Administrative Order on Consent with U.S. EPA to perform an investigation to determine the extent of groundwater and surface water contamination and to also determine if any soil contamination remained. The study was completed in 1991; U.S. EPA issued a final Record of Decision.

The approved remedy included: constructing a soil vapor extraction system to treat contaminated soil; extending the current groundwater pump and treat system; and collecting oil floating in the purge wells and disposing of the collected oil offsite. The design of the remedy began in mid-1992 and was completed in 1995 under a Unilateral Administrative Order.

Construction of the remedy has been completed; however, Chem Central is currently considering changes to the selected groundwater cleanup. This may result in an extension to the groundwater collection trench. 

Chem Central began implementing a comprehensive groundwater monitoring plan in January 2000. Results from that monitoring will be used to determine the necessity of the trench extension. A decision on the need for the extension is expected by September 2005. A Five-Year Review was completed in 1999. It determined that the remedy is still protective of human health and the environment. The second five year review was completed in November 2004.  It determined that the remedy is still protective of human health and the environment.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
pamela molitor (molitor.pamela@epa.gov)
(312) 886-3543

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

Aliases

CHEM-CENTRAL
WOLVERINE CHEM SOLV & REC

 

Site Profile Information

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