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The Commodity Credit Corporation/United States Department of Agriculture (CCC/USDA) operated grain storage facilities at two different locations at Everest. One facility (the Everest site) was located at the western edge of the city of Everest. The second facility (the Everest East site) was located approximately 0.5 miles northeast of Everest. During the KDHE private well sampling program in 1997, carbon tetrachloride was detected in a private drinking water well in Everest at 121 micrograms per liter (?g/L) downgradient of the former CCC/USDA grain bin site. CCC/USDA subsequently connected the residence to the municipal water system.

KDHE conducted a Site Reconnaissance Evaluation (SRE) at both former CCC/USDA facilities in 1997-1998. Groundwater samples collected near both former facilities identified carbon tetrachloride contamination, thus prompting a Phase I Investigation by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) on behalf of CCC/USDA. Results of the Phase I Investigation indicated that no further action was necessary at the Everest East Site. The Everest East site is now on Appendix B (Sites Requiring No Further Action by FSA) list of the Intergovernmental Agreement between KDHE and the Farm Service Agency. CCC/USDA conducted a Phase II environmental investigation at the Everest site 2003. KDHE requested CCC/USDA to perform an additional Phase III investigation in 2004 to provide additional technical information. Results from the three studies indicated carbon tetrachloride in some soil samples, in vegetation near the USDA site, and in groundwater to the north-northwest of the site.

In 2005 KDHE requested CCC/USDA to perform a pumping test at the site in an attempt to locate preferential flow pathways. In January 2006, ANL conducted aquifer hydraulic testing, limited groundwater sampling, and installation of several permanent monitoring wells at Everest. Results of the aquifer tests indicated low groundwater flow rates. Groundwater flow is to the north-northwest from the facility and then west-southwest towards an intermittent stream to the west of the USDA site. Levels of carbon tetrachloride in the main portion of the plume are generally above the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 5 micrograms per liter (?g/L).

KDHE requested continued monitoring of wells at the site for VOCs until a Corrective Action Study at the site. In March 2007 ANL submitted a document with recommendations for remedial actions at Everest which was approved. The document included provisions for groundwater and surface water sampling and a vegetation survey to evaluate the potential effectiveness of phytoremediation at the site. A Vapor intrusion assessment was conducted in August 2010 in 10 residences overlying the main body of the groundwater plume. Results of the testing showed no carbon tetrachloride detected within the homes. Monitoring of groundwater, surface water, and vegetation is ongoing at the site on an annual basis.