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Fact Sheet
November 2007
Site Investigation Activities Planned at Columbus Former Manufactured Gas Plant Site, Columbus, Nebraska
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to conduct additional investigation activities at the Columbus Former Manufactured Gas Plant (FMGP). The Site is located at 1169 22nd Avenue in Columbus, Nebraska. Initial work is scheduled to begin Monday, November 26, and will continue intermittently in November and possibly December 2007, weather permitting. Centel Corporation and Aquila, Inc. will be performing the site work and sampling through a settlement agreement and Order on Consent with EPA.
BACKGROUND
The Columbus FMGP operated from approximately 1908 to 1932 and converted coal to natural gas. Waste products of this process include coal tar and other coal tar-related contaminants and are present in the soil and ground water at the site.
Environmental investigations have been conducted at the FMGP, with the most recent reports being issued in 2006. Past investigations have included the installation of ground water monitoring wells, soil probes/ borings and related sampling, and analysis of ground water and soil samples.
The Columbus FMGP is also located within the boundaries of the 10th Street Superfund site. Multiple investigations not previously related to the FMGP site have been conducted by EPA to address issues related to the 10th Street Superfund Site.
PLANNED SITE INVESTIGATION
During earlier investigations, a number of underground structures and potential source areas were identified, including a FMGP operations building, gas storage tanks and a gas holder, and tar and gas tanks. The previous investigation on the site, which indicated various levels of contamination in the soil and ground water, and the information on the structures and potential sources, will guide the work for this investigation.
The planned investigation will include installing one or more monitoring wells, and drilling soil and soil gas borings using direct-push equipment. Samples of soil, soil gas, and ground water will be collected and submitted for analysis. The purpose of collecting the additional samples at the site is to further characterize the extent of contamination.
The additional information collected during these activities will be added to the existing information for the purpose of developing an Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis (EE/CA). The EE/CA will evaluate potential cleanup options to address the contamination at the site. It is anticipated that a draft EE/CA report will be presented to the public for comment in the Spring/Summer of 2008.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you have questions about this fact sheet or the Columbus FMGP site, please contact:
Beckie Himes
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Public Affairs
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
Phone: 913-551-7003
Toll free: 800-223-0425
himes.beckie@epa.gov
