Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
BROWN COUNTY
DE PERE

Congressional District # 08

BETTER BRITE PLATING CO. CHROME AND ZINC SHOPS

EPA ID# WIT560010118
Last Updated: December, 2006

Site Description

The Better Brite Plating Company Chrome and Zinc Shops site, located in Brown County, Wisconsin, is a four-acre site and comprises two sections of land that are divided by a residential area.  Groundwater is used for drinking water by both residents and municipalities in thsi area.  Metal plating operations were conducted at the chrome shop from 1978 until 1985 and at the zinc shop from 1968 until 1989. Over 20,000 gallons of plating solution are thought to have leaked from inground plating tanks.  In addition, spillage of contaminated wastes has been documented.   A soil study in 1979 identified chromium-contaminated soil in the areas to the west and south of the main building.  In 1979 - 1980 Better Brite installed a groundwater collection and surface water control system, but stopped operating it by 1986. 

Site Responsibility

This site is being addressed through federal and state actions.

Threats and Contaminants

Prior to removal actions, there was extensive onsite chromium contamination as well as contamination in the building's air handling system.  During period of high water levels, chromium-contaminated surface water collected in the backyards of adjacent residences.  Area residents could be exposed to contaminants through direct contact with or accidental ingestion.  There was an illegal discharge to a storm sewer.  Chromium contaminated groundwater was also recharging the sump of an nearby residence. 

Groundwater and soil are contaminated with heavy metals, including chromium and zinc, as well as cyanide and various volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  Contaminants have migrated into groundwater but have not reached the sandstone aquifer. The sandstone aquifer serves as the municipal water supply for the city of DePere and the villages of Allouez and Ashwaubenon.  Approximately 46,000 people obtain drinking water from municipal wells within three miles of the site.  The closest municipal Well is 250 feet from the Zinc Shop.

Cleanup Progress

In 1986 - 1987, U.S. EPA removed four subsurface plating and cleaning tanks, all surface wastes, and some visibly contaminated soil from the Chrome Shop, summing to over 83 tons of contaminated soil; 9,270 gallons of chromic acid; 3,600 gallons of toxic liquids; 550 gallons of cyanide solution; 150 pounds of cyanide sludge; and 500 gallons of flammable liquids from the chrome shop facility in 1986. In 1988, WDNR razed the main Chrome Shop building, partially fenced the site, covered the site with clay, placed topsoil on the clay cover, and seeded it.  Also in 1988, the U.S. EPA authorized pumping of water from the previously installed collection trench into the City of DePere sanitary sewer an interim mearure to eliminate ponding. 

In 1990 U.S. EPA installed an on-site groundwater treatment system for water being discharged from the site to the DePere Wastewater Treatment Plant, and in 1993 installed a groundwater collection system for the Chrome Shop.  In 1990, EPA completed removal of plating solutions and sludge stored in drums, vats and tanks, and installed a groundwater collection trench at the Zinc Shop.  In 1993, U.S. EPA removed another 4,236 tons of chromium contaminated soil, and 6,103 tons of contaminated special waste soil and debris from the Chrome Shop.  Also in 1993, U.S. EPA removed the foundation, two 15 foot dip tanks, and other remains of the Zinc Shop, and excavated contaminated soils to a depth of 20 feet below the former foundation of the Zinc Shop summing to 2752 tons of hazardous chromium contaminated soil and debris, and 3,280 tons of special waste chromium contaminated soil and debris. 

Through August 1999, approximately 2,330,000 gallons of chromium contaminated water had been removed from the Zinc Shop and the Chrome Shop sumps. Decreases in total chrome concentrations in groundwater that could be attributable to the removal actions and the groundwater collection, were observed at the Chrome Shop and Zinc Shop. Total chromium concentrations in influent water samples collected from the Chrome Shop in 1994 were approximately 500,000 micrograms per Liter (µg/L), but decreased to 150,000 µg/L in 1999. Concentrations of total chromium in water samples from the sump at the Zinc Shop were approximately 600,000 µg/L in 1993, and decreased to 100,000 µg/L in 1996 and to 65,000 µg/L by 1999.

A state lead investigation into the nature and extent of remaining groundwater contamination at the site was completed in September 1995. Final site cleanup remedies were selected in a September 1996 ROD, including: in place stabilization of the remaining chromium contaminated soil and groundwater at the Chrome Shop; continued collection, treatment, and discharge of contaminated groundwater from the Zinc Shop to a sanitary sewer; actions to prevent entry of contaminants into residential basements; ongoing groundwater monitoring; and institutional controls. The stabilization of soil/groundwater contaminants down to 20 feet below ground surface at the Chrome Shop and the actions to prevent entry into basements were completed during October 1999.  U.S. EPA documented construction completion at the site in a Preliminary Close Out Report dated February 2000.  The groundwater collection and treatment at the Zinc Shop, and groundwater monitoring are continuing. 

Post-remedial groundwater monitoring events occurred during May 2000, November 2000, June 2001, November 2001, May 2002, November 2002, May 2003 and May 2004 from select monitoring points. Sampling results generally indicate a significant decline when compared to the pre-remedial sampling results. Sentinel monitoring points indicate that the remedial action appears to have been successful but additional monitoring is needed to verify this. Select site monitoring points are currently being sampled annually.

U.S. EPA has completed two five-year reviews one in November 1999 and the most recent in November 2004. The five-year review consisted of a Site inspection and review of relevant documents. The five-year review concluded that there was no information that calls into question the protectiveness of the remedy. The five-year review also indicated that stabilized chromium in soil remains at the properties under structures and asphalt and that the groundwater standards have not been achieved in the area around the Site, and that this needs to be officially recorded for this property.  The five-year review recommended that WDNR and EPA continue implementing the September 24, 1996 ROD.

Success Story

The apparent success of the stabilization of the chromium contaminated soil provides a potential alternative to excavation and off-site disposal. 

Property Reuse

Because stabilized chromium contaminated soil remains in the subsurface soils, a restrictive covenant or other proprietary control needs to be placed on the property. 

Contacts

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

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
bri bill
(312) 353-6646

Aliases

BETTER BRITE PLATING CHROME & ZINC
BETTER BRITE PLATING CHROME & ZINC SHOPS
BETTER BRITE CHROME: 519 LANDE ST
BETTER BRITE ZINC: 315 S 6TH ST

 

Site Profile Information

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