We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with requests for some documents. If an attempt to download an individual document from the “Documents/Photos Available” link does not return the expected results, please contact the Project Manager associated with the Identified Site or the Remedial Section at 785-296-1660. We are working to resolve this problem as quickly as possible and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Elevated levels of nitrate were first detected in private wells in Ramona, KS in 1984 by the Kansas Geological Survey. In November 1988, KDHE responded to a citizen's complaint of a gasoline taste in their drinking water. Carbon tetrachloride was detected at three times above the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for groundwater of 5 micrograms per liter (µg/L) along with petroleum constituents. KDHE sampled 24 private wells and found carbon tetrachloride in 18 of them. The EPA conducted a Removal Assessment in June 1992. Of the 59 private wells sampled by EPA seven had concentrations of carbon tetrachloride above the MCL, three had benzene above the MCL of 5µg/L, and five had nitrate above the MCL of 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Seven homes were provided with carbon filter units in January 1993. A Preliminary Assessment (PA) conducted by KDHE in 1993 identified two potential carbon tetrachloride sources: the Ramona Co-op (now Agri-Producers, Inc.) and the former Commodity Credit Corporation/United States Department of Agriculture (CCC/USDA) grain storage facility.

The City of Ramona received a Farmer's Home Administration Emergency Grant in 1995 to provide access to rural water. Most homes are connected to the rural water district. A Corrective Action Study (CAS) completed in 1999 by Tetra Tech confirmed the source areas. Long term monitoring by KDHE began in 2000. KDHE obtained access to the Union Pacific Railroad Right of Way adjacent to the site in 2005 and contracted Terrnext to conduct a Supplemental Sampling Event on the property. This includes the property where Agri Producers, Inc. currently operates. KDHE conducted a soil and groundwater supplemental sampling event in January 2006. The results indicated that the Agri Producers, Inc. facility contributes carbon tetrachloride and nitrate contamination at the site. CCC/USDA initiated a soil and groundwater investigation at the site in June 2006. Carbon tetrachloride was detected at one shallow monitoring well at the USDA site at a maximum concentration of 23µg/L. Groundwater monitoring continues at the site.

CCC/USDA submitted a CAS for the site which was approved by KDHE in April 2011. In December 2011, KDHE issued the Final Agency Decision Statement (ADS) for the Ramona Site. The ADS requires CCC/USDA to develop and implement a long-term groundwater monitoring program, and establish an Environmental Use Controls (EUC) for the property. CCC/USDA submitted a Long-Term Groundwater Monitoring Plan for the site in March 2012, which KDHE approved in October 2012, and was implemented in October 2012.

Based on the 2012 monitoring results, KDHE requested in September 2013 that CCC/USDA install additional monitoring wells at the Site. CCC/USDA submitted a Work Plan in December 2013 for installing two additional wells at the Site; KDHE approved the Work Plan and well installation activities were implemented in late December 2013. Groundwater Monitoring is ongoing at the site. CCC/USDA has submitted a Risk Assessment (RA) for the site. The RA was not accepted.

Agri-Producers is now Agri Trails effective March 1, 2016.