Groundwater Plume Site In St. Louis Park Added To U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Superfund National Priorities List

Minneapolis MN

16 September, 2020

3:03 PM

Description

Press release from the City of St. Louis Park: September 15, 2020 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has added the Highway 100 and County Road 3 Groundwater Plume Site to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL), making the site eligible to receive federal funding for long-term, permanent cleanup. The City of St. Louis Park is in full support of this step to ensure the ongoing health and safety of residents and that those who caused the contamination are held responsible. Health concerns already addressed Any health concerns related to this site have already been addressed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), EPA and the City of St. Louis Park. In 2008, at no charge to the homeowner, 41 homes were fitted with vapor extraction systems to treat elevated levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air or in the soil beneath the homes. The city has been working successfully with the MPCA, MDH and the EPA to ensure the safety of its drinking water in relation to this site and to protect residents from any adverse effects of this contamination. Water Treatment Plant #4 was taken out of service in 2016 when contaminants, believed to result from the Highway 100 and County Road 3 Groundwater Plume Site, were detected. Upgrades that have since been installed at the plant treat all identified contaminants, regardless of their source, down to published advisory levels for drinking water. The plant was returned to service in early 2019. Site history In April 2004, the MPCA began searching for the source of vinyl chloride contamination that had been detected in several City of Edina wells that drew water from the Prairie du Chien-Jordan Aquifer. Between 2006 and 2017, the source was traced back to an area near Walker and Lake streets in St. Louis Park. While an exact source hasn't been identified, it's important to note that the businesses associated with the chemical release no longer operate in these areas. Contamination in the groundwater is from previous uses. The site was proposed for addition to the NPL on Oct. 30, 2019, and subject to a 60-day public comment period, which was extended through Feb. 6, 2020, to provide more time for community input. Next steps Look for more information in the coming months about EPA's community involvement plan related to the site and how you can participate in the process. Visit www.stlouispark.org/groundwater-plume or the EPA website at www.epa.gov/superfund/highway-100-cr3-groundwater to learn more about the site. Visit epa.gov/superfund for information about Superfund and the NPL. This press release was produced by the City St. Louis Park. The views expressed here are the author's own.