FACT SHEET ** EPA Region 7 Hayford Bridge Road Groundwater Site St. Charles, Missouri April 2002 INTRODUCTION The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is continuing to address the Hayford Bridge Road Groundwater site. The site is on Governor Drive, north of Elm Point Road in St. Charles, Missouri. Several years ago, EPA detected polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs in soils and volatile organic compounds in the groundwater at the site. The primary focus of EPA at this site is to protect the nearby St. Charles' drinking water supply. The city of St. Charles' drinking water is obtained from the Elm Point Well Field which is located 2,700 feet from the source of contamination. Water from the city's supply wells have been tested regularly since 1990 and, typically, found free of any contaminants. On a couple occasions, two contaminants have been detected at concentrations well below levels of concern. SITE BACKGROUND The Hayford Bridge Road Groundwater site lies in the flood plan of the Mississippi River, and includes properties owned by Findett Corporation (Findett), and all properties where contaminants have migrated in the groundwater. As a result of EPA investigations, PCBs were found in soils and volatile organic compounds were detected in the groundwater at the site. Findett operates a chemical reprocessing and manufacturing facility on one part of the site, since the early 1960s. The contamination on the site resulted from these operations. During approximately the first ten years of operation, Findett reprocessed and/or reclaimed hydraulic and heat-medium fluids, solvents and chemical catalysts for resale or return to the customer. Some of the materials contained PCBs and volatile organic compounds. PCBs are a mixture of individual chemicals which are no longer produced in this country, but are still found in the environment. The manufacture of PCBs stopped in the United States in 1977 because of evidence that they accumulate in the environment and cause harmful effects. Volatile organic compounds are carbon containing compounds that readily evaporate at room temperature, and may cause harmful effects. ------- SITE ACTIVITIES The Hayford Bridge Road Groundwater site was divided into three operable units. An operable unit is an action taken as one part of an overall site cleanup. The first operable unit addressed the contaminated soils and groundwater on the Findett property. The second operable unit addressed the contaminated soils on the former Cadmus property, now owned by Findett. EPA is currently overseeing activities at the third operable unit. These activities will consist of conducting an investigation of the groundwater located down gradient of the Findett property, to fully characterize the site. Once the investigation is completed EPA will make a determination as to the next steps. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT EPA and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources are updating the Community Involvement Plan. The update involves interviewing affected residents and community leaders to determine their level of interest in the site, major concerns and issues, and information needs. The updated Community Involvement Plan will be available for public review at the information repositories listed below. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The EPA prepared an Administrative Record for operable unit one for this site. The Administrative Record contains site related documents and can be viewed at the following locations: EPA Region 7 Records Center St. Charles City Hall 901 N. 5th Street 200 North Second Street, 3rd Floor Kansas City, Kansas St. Charles, Missouri If you have questions or would like additional information about the site, please contact: Hattie Thomas, Community Involvement Coordinator Office of External Programs U.S. EPA 901 N. 5th Street Kansas City, Kansas 66101 1-913-551-7003 Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425 email: thomas.hattie@epa.gov ### ------- |