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Contaminated water plume outlined
But EPA and former owner, Chrysler, appear far apart on how to go about final cleanup.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
DAYTON — Environmental investigators think they've determined the general outline of a contaminated ground water plume in the vicinity of the Behr Dayton Thermal Plant.
But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the plant's former owner, Chrysler, appear far apart on how to engineer a final cleanup.
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Negotiations between the EPA and the auto maker, which have broken down, also included talks with Behr representatives that dwelled on how to undertake a study to determine the nature and extent of contamination and the feasibility of cleanup options.
Two other private businesses, Aramark Uniform Services and Gem City Chemicals, might share responsibility for the cleanup. The EPA is on its own figuring that out, and it could bill private corporations later. The agency told Chrysler in a March 11 letter that it may proceed with the study despite not reaching an accord.
Meantime, Chrysler, purchased last year by private equity management firm Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. of New York City, continues to fund projects to remove immediate dangers from area homes.
A potential problem spot in the cleanup could be a large mass of contaminated soil beneath the factory complex at 1600 Webster St., owned by German auto parts maker Behr GmbH & Co.
The groundwater is contaminated with trichloroethylene, likely the result of an extensive industrial leak within the past 30 years, said Steve Renninger, the EPA on-scene coordinator. Soil gas from the groundwater has entered homes in the area of the plant, creating an indoor air health hazard at 251 addresses, the latest count suggests.
Digging up the bad soil isn't practical since it's beneath factory buildings and parking lots, Chrysler spokesman Max Gates said. The company is running a soil vapor extraction system at the plant and "we are positive we will have some good results on that," he said. The system includes 120 on-site wells.
Chrysler has also taken responsibility for a portion of the contaminated plume, installing air evacuation systems in 34 homes.
Because Chrysler disputed the extent of its responsibility, EPA responders are working on other portions of the plume. They've installed 102 indoor air evacuation systems after finding 172 contaminated homes.
Because some homes nearest the plant have been particularly tough to render safe and because of the high level of contamination, a secondary system has been installed outdoors across Leo Street from the plant, Renninger said.
The system consists of 11 borings that go 15 feet into the ground, connected by air pipes. An air blower pulls soil vapor through a carbon filter, rendering the exhaust safe, and then sends it into the air.
Renninger said he believes testing has revealed the approximate outline of the contaminated groundwater since the strength of the pollution diminishes along its borders.
Regional EPA officials are working to get the site proposed to the Superfund National Priorities List, which has to happen before the remedial investigation begins.
For its part, Chrysler said it hasn't resolved a couple of key points with the EPA, including how fines can be levied.
"Everyone wants to get this resolved and as soon as possible," Gates said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7407 or sbennish@DaytonDailyNews.com.
