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Fact Sheet

July 2008

Update of New Response Action, Chemplex Superfund Site, Clinton, Iowa

INTRODUCTION

In December 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notified the public that it was delaying a decision on a new remedy for the Chemplex Site until performance testing of the recommended remedy had been completed.  The current pump and treat remedy has not achieved performance standards for controlling migration of contaminated ground water. 

Citigroup and ChevronTexaco (“ACC/GCC”), the parties conducting the remedial action, recommended replacing the pump and treat system with a combination of monitored natural attenuation and hot-spot treatment.  ACC/GCC also recommended extending the Camanche municipal water system into the area down gradient of the contamination. 

EPA concluded that data showing the revised remedy can effectively control contaminant migration would be valuable in making a final decision to revise the remedy. 

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

EPA and ACC/GCC have now agreed on plans to conduct the performance test.  The performance test will include:

  1. The pump and treat system will be placed into temporary standby condition to allow the ground water system to return to natural flow conditions (anticipated timing - system shutdown fall 2008).
  2. Increased monitoring to verify that contaminant reduction is occurring (anticipated timing - final monitoring plan late 2008).
  3. Treating in place the areas with high contaminant concentrations (anticipated timing - treatment plan Spring 2009).
  4. Extending the municipal water line to residents down gradient of the Site (anticipated timing - ACC/GCC and the City of Camanche are working on the necessary agreements to construct the water line).
  5. Land use controls to prevent activities that might interfere with these actions (anticipated timing - Land Use Control Plan Spring 2009).

NEXT STEPS

Upon approval of the respective plans, ACC/GCC will complete the performance test.  EPA anticipates using the information obtained during this performance test to decide whether changes in the remedy are appropriate.  At that time, if EPA believes a remedy change is called for, EPA will:

Information relating to the performance test will be included in the Administrative Record files as it becomes available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you have any questions or comments, or need further information, please contact:

Beckie Himes
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA Region 7
Office of Public Affairs
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS  66101
Phone:  1-800-223-0425
E-mail address: himes.beckie@epa.gov

Copies of selected documents regarding the performance test will be placed with the Chemplex Site Administrative Record File in the Camanche Public Library, and can be viewed during normal business hours:

Camanche Public Library
102 12th Ave.
Camanche, Iowa

The Administrative Record File previously maintained at the Clinton Public Library will be closed, making the Administrative Record File located at the Camanche Public Library the only one near the site.  The Administrative Record File is also maintained at:

EPA Region 7
Records Center
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas

and can be viewed during normal business hours.

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