'SERA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
You're invited
U.S. EPA staff will be hosting an
informal open house where you
can come and ask questions and
discuss the Wedron groundwater
investigation and cleanup.
Wednesday, Oct. 3
5-7 p.m.
Dayton Township Hall
3312 E. 18th Road
Ottawa
For more information
For questions, comments or
for more information about the
Wedron groundwater investigation,
you can contact:
Steven J. Faryan
U.S. EPA On-Scene Coordinator
Superfund Division
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
312-353-9351
faryan. steven@epa.gov
Fleriberto Leon
U.S. EPA Community Involvement
Coordinator
Superfund Division
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
312-886-6163
leon.heriberto@epa.gov
Bruce Everetts
Bureau of Land Representative
Illinois EPA
1021 N. Grand Ave. East
PO Box 19276
Springfield, IL 62794-9276
217-524-1663
bruce.everetts@illinois.gov
Website:
www.epa.gov/region5/cleanup/
wedron/mdex.html
EPA Looking for Pollution
Source in Underground Water
Wedron Groundwater Contamination Site
Wedron, Illinois	October 2012
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois EPA have been working
at a Wedron, Illinois, location to determine which private drinking water wells
have been affected by pollution. The agencies are also investigating potential
sources of the groundwater contamination. "Groundwater' is an environmental
tenn for underground supplies of fresh water.
Beginning in December 2011, U.S. EPA collected groundwater samples from 22
residential wells and one commercial well in the LaSalle County town. These
samples were tested for the presence of a family of chemicals called volatile
organic compounds or VOCs, semi-volatile organic compounds and metals. To
date, there are five homes in Wedron that were found with benzene levels above
or near the drinking water standard. These homes have been supplied bottled
water for the time being.
This July, U.S. EPA and IEPA collected soil samples from 18 locations in
Wedron using a special drilling rig called a geoprobe that can collect samples
beneath the surface. The results of the soil sampling also showed elevated
levels of the VOCs benzene, chlorofonn, ethylbenzene, and xylenes. This
investigation also identified several potential sources of the groundwater and
soil contamination. In addition, U.S. EPA conducted an investigation this
August at the fonner Hoxsey gas station to determine if underground tanks or
piping are still present. The owner of the property has agreed to conduct an
excavation to determine if any underground storage tanks remain on the parcel.
A U.S. EPA employee uses special equipment to check for the presence of underground
storage tanks and pipes. U.S. EPA and Illinois EPA are searching for the source of
pollution that has contaminated some drinking water wells in the LaSalle County
town of Wedron.

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Also this July, U.S. EPA, Illinois EPA and the Illinois Fire
Marshal's office oversaw the excavation and removal of
an underground tank that was uncovered during a rail
expansion along the Illinois Railway tracks bordering N.
2153 Road (LaSalle County 11). Illinois Railway hired a
contractor to remove the liquid in the tank, clean the tank
and remove the affected soil.
History
In April 1982, Illinois EPA began a groundwater
investigation in Wedron after the Illinois Department of
Public Health received complaints from several residents
of gasoline-type odors in their private well water. Illinois
EPA collected groundwater samples from several private
wells in April 1982, June 1983 and August 1983 and
confirmed the presence of chemicals found in gasoline.
At that time, a new deeper well was drilled to provide
clean drinking water to the affected homes. In addition, an
investigation of several potential sources of contamination
was completed, but no source was found.
In 2011, residents again reported gasoline odors from their
water. As a result, the Illinois Department of Public Health
collected groundwater samples in October 2011 and found
two homes with benzene levels above the health standard.
In November 2011, the LaSalle County Health Department
told these residents to no longer drink or use their well
water. Illinois EPA then contacted U.S. EPA, which began
the current investigation.
Next steps
While U.S. EPA and IEPA continue their source
investigation, the agencies are looking at funding options
to provide water treatment units or an alternative water
supply to affected residents.
Hie investigation conducted this July by the two agencies
has identified several potential sources of soil and
groundwater contamination. U.S. EPA and IEPA staff will
meet with the property owners to determine what further
investigation work will be conducted and what cleanup
action will be necessary at those locations.
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