![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031220838im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Superfund Alternative Site For Wisconsin
MANITOWOC COUNTY
TWO RIVERS
Congressional District # 06
WPSC TWO RIVERS MGP
EPA ID# WIN000509953Last Updated: February, 2007
Site Description
The WPSC Two Rivers MGP site is located in Two Rivers, Wisconsin bordered by the West Twin River on the west of the site. Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC), an operating utility company, has responsibility for several former manufactured gas plants (MGPs) throughout Wisconsin. The Two Rivers site is about 5 acres in size, with approximately 2 additional acres of contaminated adjacent sediment. The Two Rivers site is located in an historically light industrial and riverfront area. The gas plant operated from 1925 to 1946. Currently the majority of the site is a wetland near the river shore, accessible by water. The fomer MGP building and other structure foundations are present on the site.
MGPs were industrial facilities that produced gas from coal, oil, and other feedstocks. MGPs started operating in the U.S. in the early 1800s, typically in urban areas where gas was needed for lighting, cooking, and heating. Two gas production methods were used at the WPSC MGP facilities: coal carbonization and carbureted water gas. Both processes produced waste and by-products such as tars, purifier waste, oils, sludges, and acidic waste. Disposal of waste and spills and leaks often resulted in contaminated soil and groundwater. MGPs were often located near waterbodies and sediment contamination is also common.
Site Responsibility
This site is being addressed through federal and potentially responsible party actions. This is one of six former MGPs to be addressed by WPSC under the Superfund Alternative Sites approach.
Threats and Contaminants
Soil, groundwater and sediment at former MGPs are often contaminated. At the Two Rivers site soil contains polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including a group of VOCs called benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), trimethylbenzene, and cyanide. Groundwater at the site flows to the southwest toward the West Twin River. Groundwater contamination includes PAHs; cyanide; napthalene; and BTEX. Sediment is the nearby West Twin River contain PAHs and BTEX, and shows evidence of odor, sheen or tar associated with MGP waste.
Cleanup Progress
WPSC and EPA entered a settlement agreement in May 2006. Under this unique agreement, WPSC has agreed to conduct remedial investigations and feasibility studies at six former MGP sites located throughout Wisconsin. Because the six sites have similar conditions and contaminants, and WPSC is responsible for each, the agreement allows a streamlined approach to site investigation and remedy development. Some benefits of the agreement include the use of multi-site documents, a mechanism to review the adequacy of past work, and scheduling flexibility to allow progress on the worst problems first.
Under the state program various investigations of the Two Rivers site have occurred since the 1990s. Pilot testing to explore in-situ chemical oxidation of contaminated groundwater was conducted in 2003 through 2005, however the results do not look promising. Routine groundwater monitoring occurs annually. Additional investigation of remaining contamination will occur under the enforcement agreement with EPA.