Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
STURGIS

Congressional District # 06

STURGIS MUNICIPAL WELLS

EPA ID# MID980703011
Last Updated: April, 2008

Site Description

The Sturgis Municipal Wells site is located in the City of Sturgis, St. Joseph County, Michigan. Routine sampling by the Michigan Department of Public Health (MDPH) in 1982 revealed two of the four municipal water supply wells, serving the City of Sturgis, were contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene. In 1983, the city asked approximately 10,000 residents in its service area to limit their water usage. In 1984, the city began utilizing a new well, the Oaklawn, bringing the total to three usable wells, the Broadus, Lakeview and Oaklawn, and two contaminated wells, the Layne and Jackson. In 1985, the Broadus well was found to be contaminated. In 1989, the MDPH advised the city not to rely on the Layne, Jackson, and Broadus wells. The city is now relying on the Thurston Woods well, installed in 1989, and the Oaklawn and Lakeview wells to serve their needs.

Site Responsibility

The site is being addressed by the potentially responsible party (PRP) with oversight of the State.

Threats and Contaminants

The groundwater is contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE). TCE, PCE, and other VOCs have been detected in the soil. Direct contact with or accidental ingestion of the contaminated groundwater and soil poses a potential health threat.

Cleanup Progress

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources conducted a federally-financed Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study from 1987 through early 1991. A Record of Decision (ROD), outlining the chosen Remedial Action, was issued in September 1991. The selected remedy included extraction and treatment of the contaminated groundwater, treatment of contaminated onsite soils via soil vapor extraction (SVE), and excavation of the remaining contaminated soils that cannot be treated by SVE.

In October 1992, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) issued an Unilateral Administrative Order to the potentially responsible party (PRP), Cooper Industries, for a groundwater extraction and treatment system to halt the further migration of contaminants in the aquifers. Cooper Industries completed the design and began construction of the groundwater pump and treat system in late summer/early fall 1993. Construction was completed in May 1994 and the system is expected to operate for at least 20 years.

During much of 1996, the state negotiated with Cooper Industries for their takeover of all activities at the site under the direction of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. In late summer, they reached agreement and a Consent Decree was entered in federal court on October 25, 1996. Also during 1996, the U.S. EPA issued a ROD Amendment, which altered the 1991 remedy for the site to change groundwater and soil cleanup standards to comply with current state law, eliminate one of the source areas from requiring soil vapor extraction (SVE), and eliminate all soil excavation. Construction of the SVE system is now complete, and the system is operating. A final inspection was completed on April 22, 1997. During 1998, the PRP conducted an investigation to determine if TCE vapors have migrated off the property, if the pump and treat system is removing the entire groundwater contaminant plume, and perhaps, begin designing a way to augment the groundwater remediation system.

A Five-Year Review report was completed for the Sturgis Municipal Wells site during October 1999. In general, the report concluded that the remedy selected remained protective of human health and the environment. However, based on the 1998 studies, the state recommended the installation of another extraction well and treatment system to augment the pump and treatment system installed in 1994. The new system is operational. In addition, the report recommended the continued operation of the current pump and treat and ISVE systems.

A second five year review report was completed for the Sturgis Municipal Wells Site on June 30, 2005. In general, the report concluded that the remedy selected remains protective of human health and the environment.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
pablo valentin (valentin.pablo@epa.gov)
(312) 353-2886

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
dave novak
(312) 886-7478

Aliases

STURGIS MUN WELL FIELD

 

Site Profile Information

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