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| COMMERCE STREET PLUME | Williston, Vermont | |
| Chittenden County |
Site Location/Size:
The Commerce Street Plume is located within an industrial park on
Commerce Street in Williston, Vermont, in Chittenden County. Ground
water plumes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and metals have been
traced to releases from a one-acre property formerly owned by Mitec
Systems Corp. (Mitec).
Site History:
Various manufacturing and electroplating operations have occurred on the
property since 1960. Between 1979 and 1984, Mitec discharged an
undetermined quantity of plating rinse waters and sludge wastes
containing heavy metals and solvents into an unlined lagoon and a septic
leachfield. In 1984, monitoring wells detected chromium in ground water
downgradient of the lagoon, and in 1985, six nearby residential wells
were found to be contaminated with solvents at concentrations exceeding
Maximum Contaminant Levels. Indoor air samples collected in residences
down gradient from the property showed VOCs at levels posing
unacceptable risk to humans. The drinking water wells were subsequently
closed and residents were provided with an alternate drinking water
supply. Onsite manufacturing ceased in 1986, and the property is
currently occupied by a restaurant supply business.
Site Contamination/Contaminants:
Two source areas have been discovered on site, which are contributing to
the ground water plume: plating rinsewater and sludge wastes containing
heavy metals and solvents discharged into the unlined lagoon and the
leachfield. VOCs (including PCE, TCE, and DCE) and metals (including
chromium, cadmium an nickel) have been detected in soil and ground water
throughout the property, and TCE and PCE have been detected in nearby
drinking water wells at concentrations above health-based standards. In
addition, elevated levels of contaminants linked to the property have
migrated to nearby streams and wetlands via ground water.
Potential Impacts on Surrounding Community/Environment:
Ground water plumes emanating from the property threaten public and
private drinking waters supplies located downgradient from the site.
Elevated concentrations of 11 VOCs and 13 metals have been detected in
monitoring wells located throughout the industrial park and surrounding
residential area. Six heavily-contaminated private drinking water wells
were taken out of service by the Vermont Department of Health and
residents were provided with an alternated drinking water supply in
1985. One home was fitted with a venting device to address vapor
intrusion concerns. Recent studies have documented elevated
concentrations of VOCs and metals in wetlands and the unnamed stream
which flows into Muddy Brook and ultimately the Winooski River. The
unnamed stream is a habitat for two State-designated threatened species
and is a State-designated area for protection and maintenance of aquatic
life under the Clean Water Act. Muddy Brook and the Winooski River
downstream of the property are known fisheries.
Response Activities (to date):
In 1984, the Vermont Agency for Environmental Conservation filed suit
against Mitec for alleged contamination and submitted an Administrative
Order to Mitec issuing a formal notice of violation and charging them
with illegal disposal of hazardous waste. Six residential drinking
water supplies affected by the releases were taken out of service in
1985, and residents were provided with an alternate water supply. One
home was vented to address vapor intrusion. Recent investigations have
further delineated the extent of ground water, soil, and surface water
contamination beyond the one-acre former Mitec property.
[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was evaluated with the HRS. The description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See 56 FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR notices.]
For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.