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United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA Addresses Questions
Raised at February Public Meeting
Himco Dump Site
Elkhart, Indiana
May 2008
Public Meeting
EPA is holding a public meeting to
discuss the Himco cleanup:
Monday, June 9
6:30 p.m.
Elkhart Public Library, Room 6
300 S. Second St.
For More Information
If you are interested in the Himco
Dump cleanup, please contact:
Don de Blasio
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPARegion5(P-19J)
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
312-886-4360 or 800-621-8431,
Ext. 64360, weekdays 10 a.m. -
5:30 p.m.
deblasio. don@epa.gov
Ross Delrosario
Remedial Project Manager
312-886-6195 or 800-621-8431,
Ext. 66195, weekdays 10 a.m. -
5:30 p.m
delrosario.rosauro@epa.gov
Information repository
Elkhart Public Library
Pierre Moran Branch
2400 Benham Ave.
On the Web
www.epa.gov/region5/sites/himco
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency met with Elkhart residents in
February to discuss issues related to the Himco Dump Superfund site.
Several questions and concerns emerged as dominant themes. EPA promised
to look into those concerns and get back to the community with answers.
Bottled water for residents
Many residents near the Himco site said they are worried about the quality
of drinking water coming from private wells. They said they wanted those
responsible for the pollution to provide bottled water immediately for
drinking and cooking.
Bayer Healthcare LLC is now providing bottled water service under
provisions of a consent decree with EPA. Eight East Side families are
getting bottled water service. All of the South Side families are on the city
water system and do not need bottled water.
Testing of private wells
A related issue was the safety of private wells. Residents want their wells
tested to determine the quality of the water, which is used not only for
drinking and cooking but also for washing and watering vegetable gardens.
No date on testing of private wells has been set.
EPA is working with Bayer Healthcare to develop a plan for testing
monitoring wells first. That plan is expected to take about a year. After the
design for monitoring-well testing is approved, Bayer Healthcare and EPA
will address the issue of testing private wells.
Language on access agreements
Many residents complained that the language of access agreements was too
difficult to understand and felt they should have a lawyer interpret it for
them. The cost of hiring a lawyer made that an unpleasant prospect.
Bayer Healthcare's legal staff significantly simplified the language. Revised
agreements will be sent soon to affected residents. The old agreements
contained a provision giving Bayer Healthcare access to the properties for
49 years with an option of additional 49-year renewals. The new agreement
allows the company only temporary access.
Cost of city water
Bayer Healthcare will be responsible for connecting 39 East Side residents
adjacent to the site to the city water supply and permanently capping their
private wells. The company estimated city water would cost an average of
about $20 a month for each household. When residents disputed that figure,
EPA offered to consult with the city water company to determine an accurate
estimated cost. While individual household usage is a major factor in actual
costs, the Elkhart Office of Public Works told EPA that consumers could
expect to pay about $25 a month or less for normal usage.
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Bayer Healthcare says the water bill will be partly offset
by savings in electricity needed to operate pumps on the
private wells.
Permanent payment of water bills
Many residents said Bayer Healthcare should pay their
water bills as long as they own and live in the houses.
The company voluntarily offered to pay for connection
to the city water system and give each of the nearby
households $1,000 to ease the expense of city water.
Based on city estimates of cost, that amount will cover
average household water usage for about three years.
Bayer Healthcare has not agreed to the request for
permanent payment of water bills. Bayer is not required
by law to pay any water bills.
Reminder: Upcoming public meeting
EPA is hosting a public meeting to
discuss the Himco cleanup:
Monday, June 9
6:30 p.m.
Elkhart Public Library,
Room 6
300 S. Second St.
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