Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
MUSKEGON COUNTY
WHITEHALL

Congressional District # 02

WHITEHALL MUNICIPAL WELLS

EPA ID# MID980701254
Last Updated: April, 2008

Site Description

The Whitehall Municipal Well site is located in the northeastern section of Whitehall, Michigan.  The site is located in Funnel Field, north of Colby Street and south of the ravine and backwaters of the White River.

In 1980, as a result of a routine quarterly sampling of the city's water supply, an organic solvent, tetrachoroethylene, was detected in the water. Further testing showed that the source of the contamination was one of the city's muncipal wells, Production Well 3 (PW-3). In early 1981, the city took PW-3 offline and increased pumping rates in three other city wells, PW-2, PW-4 and PW-5, in order to provide adequate water for the city. The city later installed another muncipal well, PW-6, and decided to permanently close PW-3.

Sampling of residential wells northeast of PW3, along Peterson Road, in 1982 indicated the wells were contaminated with volatile organic compounds. Affected residences were connected to the city water supply. Further investigation indicated that the source of the residential well contamination was not related to the contamination in PW-3.

Approximately 3,000 people live in the city of Whitehall, and about twenty residences still rely on their private wells for drinking water.

Site Responsibility

This site was addressed through federal and state actions. 

Threats and Contaminants

City well PW-3 and nearby monitoring wells showed minimal levels of contaminants or none at all after 1982. Contaminants found in the groundwater prior to 1982 included tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, and chloroform. The risk assessment completed for the site showed the only unacceptable risk from the site would be due to ingestion of, inhalation of, or direct contact with zinc in contaminated groundwater from PW-3. Because PW-3 is no longer in use, the site does not pose a risk. 

Cleanup Progress

City well PW-3 was closed in 1981, and PW-6 was brought online to increase the water supply. An investigation and risk assessment indicated there was no further public health risk involved with the site as a result of the closing of PW-3. Therefore, no further cleanup action was recommended. The Michigan Department of Public Health will continue its routine sampling of the city water supply to ensure its long-term safety.

Closing PW-3 eliminated the potential for exposure to hazardous materials at the Whitehall Municipal Well site. The state is continuing to sample and monitor the groundwater to ensure continued protection of nearby residents and the environment. This site was deleted from the National Priorities List on February 11, 1991.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
mary tierney (tierney.mary@epa.gov)
(312) 886-4785

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
bob paulson
(312) 886-0272

Aliases

FUNNEL FIELD WELL #3
MUNICIPAL WELL #3

 

Site Profile Information

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