Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Wedron Ground Water
Wedron, IL - EPA Region V
POLREP #3

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Wedron Ground Water - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V

Subject:

POLREP #3
Wedron Ground Water
C5B8
Wedron, IL
Latitude: 41.4370048 Longitude: -88.7745317

To:

From:

Steven Faryan, On-Scene Coordinator

Date:

2/22/2013

Reporting Period:

November 12, 2012 to February 25, 2013

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	C5B8	Contract Number:	EP-S5-09-05
D.O. Number:	0090	Action Memo Date:	11/16/2012
Response Authority:	CERCLA/OPA	Response Type:	Time-Critical
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	2/4/2013	Start Date:	2/14/2013
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:	ILN005510677	RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category
CERCLA time critical removal action. U.S. EPA is providing bottled water to residents that have impacted groundwater (benzene contamination) int their residential wells. US EPA along with IEPA , are conducting an investigation to determine the source of the contamination.

1.1.2 Site Description
A mixed rural, residential and industrial area where 8 private residents that have levels of benzene above or near the drinking water standard of 5 parts per billion. These residents have been placed on bottled water temporily.
U.S. EPA has begun an investigation to determine the source of the ground water contamination. An investigation into finding the source of the contamination was completed in July 2012 and a Site Assessment Report has been published and made part of the Administrative Record. Multiple potential sources were identified and the owners and operaters have been sent information requests to obtain additional information.

U.S. EPA installed whole house filtration systems at the homes begining on February 4, 2013. Nine homes received the whole house filtration systems. One of the homes private wells supply,s a home and a trailer. U.S. EPA sampled the systems to determine effectiveness on the week of February 20-22, 2013. The residents will remain on bottled water until results are received. An operators manual was prepared for each resident, and computer models were run by the carbon vendor to determine the gallons when break through is predicted on the first carbon cell. The homes had two carbon cells installed along with a 5 micron particulate filter. In two homes, water softners were installed to remove the iron and prolong the life of the carbon.

Vapor Intrusion sampling will be conducted within the defined ground water contamination plume to determine if there is any threat to the residents. Indoor air sampling may be conducted if there is is a potential threat to the residences.

Additional resident wells will be sampled within the town of Wedron if requested.

Location
The town is made up of 40 residential homes in Wedron, LaSalle, Illinois. The town is un incorporated so there is no local government or water or sewer department. All of the homes and industrial locations are on private wells and septic systems. The town borders the Wedron Silica Plant which operates a silica mine, drying and screening process, laboratory, and Techni Sand plant that coats sand with a phenolic resin. This coated sand is used in Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) of natural gas and oil wells.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The chemical constituents that have been identified include: Benzene, Ethyl Benzene and Toluene and other volatile organics have been detected in private wells.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
U.S. EPA was referred this ground water contamination site by IEPA Bruce Everetts in December of 2011.
Two homes had previously been identified in a sampling effort by IEPA and IDPH in November 10, 2011.
U..S. EPA has sampled 42 homes to date and 8 private wells have been identified as having benzene levels above the drinking water standard. These residents were provided bottled water by USEPA.
USEPA has searched past records, interviewed witnesses and residents and conducted an investigation in July of 2012 and identifed multiple potential sources of the contamination. Additional investigations will be conducted by U.S. EPA, IEPA, and Wedron Silica who's plant resides in Wedron. In addition, Illinois Railtracks has conducted some limited sampling on the rail right of way and an the Former Hoxsey gas station conducted some test pits to determine if any underground tanks were still on the property. Additional investigation work will be necessary at these other suspected property's.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative
US EPA has activated their contractor, Evironmental Restoration LLC., to provide bottled water to the affected residents and to install whole house filtration units. The installation of the whole house units began on Feb 4, 2013 and was completed on Feb 16, 2013. Sampling for effectiveness of the whole house units was conducted the week of February 19 and results are pending.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

U.S. EPA has provided bottled water to the residents since January of 2012. A total of 9 whole house filtration systems have been installed in homes. The units were installed in the affected homes and will eliminate the potential threats to the residents from drinking, bathing or washing cloths in the contaminated water
.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
US. EPA has indentified multiple potential responsible parties and has issued Information requests to the complany's
A meeting in planned in Spring of 2013 to discuss further investigation by the Potentially Responsible parties and to discuss the implementation of a remedy and evaluate options to install an alternate water supply for the Wedron community.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

*Waste Stream*	*Medium*	*Quantity*	*Manifest #*	*Treatment*	*Disposal*

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Monitor whole house carbon units and change as necessary
U.S. EPA will conduct a hydrogeological investigation to further define ground water elevations, ground water movement and sources of the contamination. US EPA, IEPA will conduct the investigation and will oversee Wedron Silica's investigation on property owned by the company.
U.S. EPA will continue to evaluate options for an alternate water supply for affected residents in Wedron.
U.S. EPA will prepare and implement a Vapor Intrusion sampling plan. The sampling will be conducted in the Spring of 2013.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Conduct ground water elevation readings in wells, mining pits and the fox river to determine ground water flows
Conduct soil sampling and ground water sampling at known and suspected source areas and property's
Concuct soil gas sampling and in home air sampling to determine if there is a threat of vapor intrusion.
Continue evaluating options to provide an alternate water supply to the residents of Wedron. The existing well at Thompson Park and other potential property's are being evaluated for deep well installation. Evaluate and provide cost estimates for hook up of affected residents.

A Public availability session is scheuled for April 3 2013 to update the residents on the progress of the response activities.

2.2.2 Issues
Access to property's to install a deep wells are still being negotiated.
Naturally occuring Arsenic in the area may be an issue with installing a semi-private well for the residents.
Other residents of Wedron are concerned that their wells will become contaminated and want the opportunity to hook into an alternate water supply. U.S. EPA is evaluating enforcement options to enter into an order with potential responsible parties under the Safe Drinking Water Act. A meeting is being arranged with these parties to discuss the enforcement options. This meeting will take place in the Spring of 2013.

2.3 Logistics Section