EPA Region 5 Records Ctr. illHHKH 264938 WASH KING LAUNDRY SUPERFUND SITE BALDWIN, MICHIGAN Fact Sheet March 1996 Public Comment Period Announced The Michigan Department of Envi- ronmental Quality (MDEQ) will ac- cept written comments on the changes to the remedial action dur- ing the public comment period, from March 11 to April 11,1996. See information box below for mailing address. The MDEQ will also be available to accept comments and to address any questions on: Date: Wednesday March 20,1996 Time: 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Place: Pleasant Plains Township Hall 855 8th Street Baldwin, Michigan Parson* with disabilities needing accommodations for affective participation In the meeting should contact Bruce Moor* at 517-373-6413 a week In advance to request mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance. Contacts Ms. Sally Beebe MDEQ Environmental Response Division Superfund Section PO Box 30426 Lansing, Michigan 48909 517-373-4110 Mr. Russell Hart U S. EPA, Region 5 (HSR-6J) 77 West Jackson Blvd. Chicago, Illinois 60604 312-886-4844 Toll Free: 1-800-621-8431 INTRODUCTION This fact sheet identifies changes to the remedial action plan or Record of Decision (ROD) for the Wash King Laundry Superfund site located in Baldwin, Michigan (see Figure 1). The changes in the remedial action plan are based on new information obtained during the pre-design investigation and recent state legislation modifying the cleanup criteria. The changes are presented and followed up with the rationale for each change. This fact sheet is issued by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), the lead agency for this site, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It presents changes that will be specified in an Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) document that will be issued following the public comment period. The pre-design Field Investigation Report and other pertinent documents are located in the Administrative Record and Information Repository for this site. WASH KING LAUNDRY Lake County, Michigan HOHTH POND ¦¦ 72HO S T.lf.y . IE It /> > X.1HG- I STArt LAKE RO. Figure 1 MILES SITE AREA us A' ------- BRIEF BACKGROUND The Wash King Laundry Superfund site is a bankrupt facility located south of Baldwin on M-37. The Pere Marquette River is about 1,500 feet north of the site. Perchloroethylene con- tamination in the soils and groundwater has been detected at Wash King Laundry in excess of state cleanup standards protective of human health and the environment. For a com- plete history of the site, refer to the Remedial Investigation (Rl) Report and other documents contained in the Information Repository for this site (the location of the Information Repository is specified in the "For More Information" Sec- tion on page 5 of this fact sheet). The MDEQ conducted a Remedial Investiga- tion/Feasibility Study fRI/FSl in March 1992. The studies found elevated levels of contami- nation in the lagoon soils and the groundwater. Contaminants of concern included per- chloroethylene, lead and arsenic. A Proposed Plan was issued for public comment in August 1992. The Proposed Plan summarized the findings of the Rl Report, the various remedial alternatives considered by the agencies, and the recommended remedial alternative. A 30- day public comment period was held between August 17, 1992, and September 15, 1992, during which both written and oral comments were accepted. A public meeting was held on August 24, 1992, on the Proposed Plan. In April 1993, the ROD was signed, which se- lected a remedial action plan for the site. The plan consisted of the following major compo- nents: * Excavation of contaminated lagoon sediments and soils with off-site disposal, * Treatment of contaminated groundwater, groundwater monitoring, and deed restrictions. The design of the remedy was initiated in Sep- tember 1993, after receipt of federal funding. Prior to designing the remedy, additional field work was completed regarding the extent of soil and groundwater contamination. Included was an investigation of the soils under and adjacent to the Wash King Laundry building. This study was called a pre-design field inves- tigation. Significant results of the study are summarized below. SUMMARY OF PRE-DESIGN FIELD INVESTIGATION Field work for the pre-design investigation was conducted by the MDEQ and Malcolm Pirnie, the MDEQ contractor. Field work was initiated in fall 1994 and extended into 1995. It con- sisted of soil sampling at the Wash King Laundry building, the lagoons on Oak Road, and the lagoons near the railroad tracks (see Figure 2). Additional groundwater monitoring wells were also installed to further define the extent of groundwater contamination. Other tests were performed that provided informa- tion on the groundwater characteristics and on the feasibility of a treatment process called Soil Vapor Extraction for possible use in the treat- ment of the contaminated soils at the Wash King Laundry building. Following are the major findings of the pre-design investigation: * Extensive sampling of the Oak Road lagoon sediments and soils revealed lower levels of contaminants than that observed during the Rl. Very few samples contained perchloroethylene and the ones that did were well below the cleanup level of 100 parts per billion (ppb). Relatively low levels of metals were detected in the samples. Based on this data, the lagoons appear to be a past, not present, source area to the groundwater contamination. * Eight additional groundwater monitoring wells were installed and sampled to further define the extent of groundwater contamination. The groundwater sampling indicated only low levels of some metals, such as zinc and mercury. Furthermore, groundwater on the north side of the Pere Marquette River is not contaminated from the site. * Soil sampling adjacent to the Wash King Laundry building revealed higher levels of perchloroethylene contamination, both in the soils and groundwater, than that previously detected in the Oak Road lagoons. The maximum concentrations of perchloroethylene near the building were 1,100 ppb in the soils and 7,900 ppb in the groundwater. It appears that the contaminated soils near the building are an ongoing and primary source area contributing to the groundwater contamination. Page 2 ------- ( *0 s § 3S LAGOONS NEAR THE RAILROAD TRACKS WASH KING LAUNDRY BUILDING W D Q 6^ S 0 QlOS ROAD LAGOONS rfl TM t i t -ni— )•« m S= Jal f llffl if 11 »l SITE MAP Figure 2 Page 3 ------- * A seismic survey confirmed that the clay layer between the shalow contaminated groundwater and the deeper, clean aquifer b continuous and there is no apparent connection between the two in the vicinity of the site. After an evaluation of al the data, ft became apparent that changes in the remedtel action plan were needed. These changes are pre- sented below. Any comments on the changes to the sfte remedy are welcome during the pubic comment period. | CHANGES TO THE SITE REMEDY The folowing changes to the remedy are sup- ported by the EPA and the MDEQ. The charges to the site remedy would result in a ramedation that is both protective of human heaih and the environment using current state cleanup standards and cost-effective. The changes would fikely result in a substantial reduction in overal capital costs over the rem- edy currently spetified in the ROD. Folowing are the changes and justification for change: 1. Use of cleanup criteria generated under Part2P1 ofthft Nntiiml Resources and Eovh ronmantal Protection Act fNREPAV 1994 PA 451. as amended formerly known as the Michigan Environmental Response Act!. The 1993 ROD specifies Type A and Type B as the cleanup criteria for the lagoons and groundwater. These criteria are based on the former Michigan Environmental Response Act (PA 307, as amended). We propose that the criteria generated as a result of NREPA be utfeBd at this site. Use of the NREPA cleanup criteria wfl resuft in a remedy that is protective of human health and the environment The criteria that wl be used include generic resi- dential cleanup criteria and draft residential inhalation criteria 2. Nq excavation of lagoon sediments. During the pre-design investigation, the la- goons were sampled on three separate oc- casions. In August 1994, 26 soil samples were colected n and around the lagoons. The focus of this sampfing was to determine the extent of excavation, so the majority of samples were colected from the sidewalls of the lagoons and between the lagoons. The second sampfing event in May 1995 was conducted to determine disposal require- Page merits of the sedvnents (Le., hazardous or nonhazardous waste). The second sampfing event focused on areas of expected contam- ination wfttwi the lagoons. The data indicated little to no contemplation. As a result, the MDEQ resampled the lagoons more exten- sively in September 1995. The data from this sampling event was reviewed by an MDEQ toxicologist who evaluates risk to human health. After the review, it was concluded that the lagoons do not warrant remediation. 3 Use of Soi Vapor Extraction fhr treatment of contaminated sols under and around the Wash King i aimdry bufcfina. The 1993 ROD alowed for excavation of con- taminated sols near the bulcfing as part of the lagoon excavation. After completing the pre-design soil sampfing near the building, the only contaminant detected at unaccept- able levels was perchloroethyiene. This con- taminant is treatable by an irvsitu method called Son Vapor Extraction fSVEV This procedure allows for treatment of the soils in place without excavation, and wil be effective at treating contaminated soils under the building. A plot test of SVE was completed as pail of the pre-design, which determined that it is a viable option for remecfiation of the contaminated soils. Any air emissions from this treatment system would meet applicable air standards. 4. Drainage and removal of sumps wfoin the Wg§h King building. During the pre-design sampfing, sediment and water samples were collected from a sump located in the Wash King Laundry building. The water sample contained per- chloroethyiene at 57 ppb. This indicates that the sump may have contributed to contami- nation near the Wash King Laundry building and should be removed. As part of the overall site remedy, the sump will be removed, cleaned, and properly cfisposed of to elimi- nate it as a potential source area. Also under consideration is the demofition and removal of the Wash King Laundry building. 5. Groundwater treatment for volatile organic compounds without treatment for metals. The groundwater treatment system under design is a low profile air stripper with car- bon adsorption units for treatment of the off-gases. No treatment for metals (inorgan- ics) is planned due to the latest groundwater sampling results. Eight additional monitoring ------- r "Wells were installed during the pre-design investigation. A total of 16 monitoring wells '* were sampled in October 1994. The results confirmed and refined the extent of per- chloroethylene, the primary site contaminant, in the groundwater. Other volatile organic compounds were found within the ground- water, including trichloroethylene, but at lower concentrations. Very few inorganics were found within the groundwater that posed a potential concern. Some inorganics slightly exceeded the state drinking water standards, but did not indicate a plume of contamination. The inorganics of potential concern include mercury, zinc, antimony and manganese. Arsenic, which exceeded the previous state residential drinking water stan- dard, does not exceed the new criteria gen- erated under NREPA. As a result, the MDEQ and the EPA plan to continue groundwater monitoring to evaluate these naturally-occur- ring inorganics. If the data indicates the po- tential for concern, we will then evaluate the need for treatment. However, at this site, the contaminants of concern will be addressed by the treatment system to concentrations below state drinking water standards. 6. Relocation of the groundwater discharge location to laooons located near the railroad tracks. The ROD specified discharge of the treated groundwater to the Pere Marquette River. We are relocating the discharge point to the Wash King Laundry lagoons located near the railroad tracks (see Figure 2). These lagoons were not used extensively by Wash King Laundry. Sampling conducted in these la- goons indicated that they are not contami- nated and pose an acceptable, and possibly more cost-effective, alternative location for discharge of the treated water. It will be nec- essary to obtain approval from the appropri- ate staff within the MDEQ and the current property owner for discharge of the treated groundwater back into the ground at this location. No surface water discharge permit is needed. 7. No deed restrictions on property where there exists contaminated groundwater. The ROD specifies that deed restrictions will be implemented as part of the groundwater rem- edy on areas where there is contaminated groundwater. Upon completion of the ground- water remedy, the expected result is cleanup of all contaminated groundwater that exceeds state cleanup standards. It can then be used as a drinking water source. Therefore, we do not anticipate the need for deed restrictions as part of the final site remedy. However, if federal funding does not become available in the near future, we will re-evaluate the need for deed restrictions. UPDATE ON LOCATION OF THE GROUNDWATER TREATMENT BUILDING ¦n January 1996, a letter and map were sent out to area property owners and other inter- ested individuals showing a possible location for the treatment building. Since that time, the proposed location of the building has changed. It is now on the east side of Oak Road, across from the Oak Road lagoons. We are attempting to locate it as far as possible from existing residences and the public water supply system. Other factors considered are ownership of land and location of large trees, so as to minimize disruption. Public comment on location of the building is also welcome. ~~ THE NEXT STEPS The EPA and the MDEQ will issue an ESD after the public comment period. We believe that the changes to the final remedy specified in this fact sheet are appropriate for the Wash King Laundry site. However, in our continuing effort to involve the public in the Superfund process, we welcome comments on these changes, before we issue the ESD. Once the ESD is issued, the design for the groundwater treat- ment system will be finalized. If funding is obtained in a timely manner, we expect to begin construction in 1996-97. The MDEQ is also requesting funding for design of an SVE treatment system. Again, if funding is obtained, we anticipate completing the design in 1997, with construction in 1998. FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information, you may either visit the Information Repository located at the Path- finder Community Library in Baldwin (812 Michigan Avenue) or contact one of the site project managers (see the "Contacts" box on page 1). Page 5 ------- GLOSSARY Explanation of Significant Differences Poc- ument (ESD) - A document that will be prepared by the MDEO specifying the ehanges to tne ste remedy and the reasons the changes are being made. Low Pi olle Air Stripper-A treatment system that is used for liealmeiU of votatite organic compounds. Air stripping is a process in which contaminated groundwater is aerated to re- move the volatile contaminants from the groundwater, including perchloroethylene. The votatite contaminants are then removed from the vapor through adsorption onto the carbon. The system is low profite' in that it does not include a high tower, but wi be housed wfthin a treatment buidrig. Proposed Plan - A document that describes the remecfial aftematives analyzed for a Super- fund site and identifies the preferred or recommended alternative and the rationale for the preference. Record of Decision (ROD)-A document * outlines the selected remedy for a Superfund site. The ROD includes the Responsiveness Summary, which responds to comments pre- sented to the MDEQ/EPA during the pubic comment period. Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) - A study at a Superfund site to assess contamination and environmental problems (Rl) and to evaluate cleanup alternatives (FS). Soil Vapor Extraction - A treatment technol- ogy that is used to clean up certain contaminant types from sol above the water table (i.e., unsaturated soi) without excavating the sol. This process involves injecting air through the contaminated soils so that the contaminants are transferred from the soil to the air. The air containing the contaminants is collected for treatment fif necessary) and then discharged to the atmosphere. If you dH not receive this document in the mai and wish to receive future maings and pubfic meeUng announcements, complete the form below and return it to Saly Beebe, at the address below. NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE ZIP Add to mWight tor Wash King Lauidry Return to: Ms. Saly Beebe MDEQ - ERD, Superfund Section P.O. Box 30426 Lansing, Ml 48909 ------- |