JOHN DEERE EPA Region 7 06/10/2008 (OTTUMWA WORKS S:"l0 LANDFILLS) IOWA Other Names: JOHN DEERE OTTUMWA EPA ID# IAD005291182 WORKS SITE DESCRIPTION The John Deere (Ottumwa Works Landfills) site consists of a 118-acre tract of land and has been used for the manufacture of farm implements since 1911. From 1911 until 1973, the company disposed of approximately 3,000 tons of solvents, paint sludges, acids, heavy metals and cyanide on site. The site is located 200 feet from prime agricultural land. Approximately 700 people obtain drinking water from private wells located within 3 miles of the site. The main water supply for Ottumwa, population 27,000, is the Des Moines River; the intake is 4,000 feet upstream from the John Deere landfills. The river also is used for recreational activities. The city's secondary water supply, which is used intermittently throughout the year, is Black Lake. It is located 500 feet downgradient of the on-site landfills. Site Responsibility: NPL LISTING HISTORY This site was addressed through Federal and potentially responsible parties' actions. Proposed Date: 06/24/88 Final Date: 02/21/90 Deleted Date: 01/22/2001 THREATS AND CONTAMINANTS ------- Low levels of various heavy metals from site disposal activities have been detected in the soil, surface water, and sediments. Also, low levels of methylene chloride, a volatile organic compound (VOC), were detected in the soil and sediments. Potential risks may have existed for individuals who accidentally ingested or came into direct contact with contaminated soil and surface water. CLEANUP APPROACH Response Action Status Entire Site: Under EPA oversight, the John Deere Company began an investigation in 1990, to determine the type and extent of contamination. Field work was completed in late 1990, and the investigation was completed in late 1991. Based on the results of this investigation, EPA selected a remedy requiring the John Deere Company to maintain the existing fence around the site, and to continue monitoring the ground water to ensure that it remains safe. In addition, on the property and state highway right-of-way, deed restrictions now limit site use to nonresidential activities. Site Facts: In 1989, John Deere Company entered into an Administrative Order on Consent with EPA to investigate the type and extent of contamination at the site and to identify alternative technologies for the cleanup. On September 25, 1992, John Deere Company and the Iowa Department of Transportation signed a Consent Decree with EPA to implement the selected remedy. ------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS Intensive investigations of site conditions have shown that the site does not pose a significant threat to people and the environment. To ensure that there are no future threats, ground water monitoring and land-use restrictions have been put in place. EPA will continue to monitor the ground water at the John Deere (Ottumwa Works Landfills) site to ensure that site conditions remain safe. The first five-year review was completed in January 1998, the second in April 2003, and the third in March 2008. The five-year reviews have found that the remedy is protective of human health and the environment, through the implementation of engineering and institutional controls. Because the remedy is protective, the site is protective of human health and the environment. The fourth five-year review is scheduled for March 2013. Ground water has not been impacted by the waste left in place. Given this fact, nine of the thirteen monitoring wells have been closed. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 10/88 - Fact sheet re: John Deere Ottumwa Works for NPL proposal. 2/90 - Final listing on NPL. 6/90 - Community Interviews for Community Relations Plan. 8/91 - Community Relations Plan Final to Info Repository for inclusion in Administrative Record 8/91 - Public meeting re: Proposed Plan and Public Comment Period. 8/00 - Site delisted from NPL. 2/03 - Fact sheet announcing start of 2nd 5-year review, with display ad in local newspaper. 3/04 - Fact sheet announcing completion of 2nd 5-year review. 11/07 - Fact sheet announcing start of 3rd 5-year review, with display ad in local newspaper. 3/08 - Fact sheet announcing completion of 3rd 5-year review. ------- SITE REPOSITORY Ottumwa Public Library, Superfund Records Center 129 N. Court Street 901 N. 5th St. Ottumwa, IA 52501 Kansas City, KS 66101 Mail Stop SUPR (913)551-7166 REGIONAL CONTACTS SITE MANAGER: E-MAIL ADDRESS: PHONE NUMBER: COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT COORDINATOR: PHONE NUMBER: E-MAIL ADDRESS: STATE CONTACT: PHONE NUMBER: William Gresham gresham.bill@epamail.gov (913)551-7804 Beckie Himes (913)551-7253 himes.beckie@epa.gov Bob Drustrup (515)281-8900 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION STATE: IA 07Y4 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: 02 EPA ORGANIZATION: SFD-IANE/SUPR MODIFICATIONS Created by: Karla Created Date: 06/30/98 01:39 PM Asb erry/SUPR/R7/U SEP A/ US Last Modified by: Beckie Last Modified Date: 06/10/2008 02:44 PM Himes/R7/USEPA/US ------- |