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In 1986, carbon tetrachloride (CT) was detected at low levels in Barnes Public Water Supply (PWS) Wells # 2 and #3, with concentrations below the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 5 micrograms per liter. As a result, KDHE performed a Phase I Comprehensive Investigation (CI) including a soil-gas survey and the collection of groundwater samples from public and private wells. Elevated concentrations of CT in soil gases were detected near the former Unified School District (USD) Agricultural Building and near the former Commodity Credit Corporation/U.S. Department of Agriculture (CCC/USDA) grain bin facility. A Phase II CI was completed in March of 1999; this investigation included the installation of one shallow and four deep monitoring wells. The final Phase II CI report identifies two properties, the USD 223 office and the former CCC/USDA property, as potential sources of CT.

In 2004, KDHE requested that CCC/USDA perform a comprehensive monitoring event to assess current conditions at the Site. In 2006, KDHE approved a work plan for the monitoring event which included additional sampling locations and a revised property boundary for the former CCC/USDA facility. Argonne National Laboratory, on behalf of CCC/USDA, initiated the investigation in July 2006. Argonne installed monitoring wells in the summer of 2006 and in February 2007. The results of the investigation identified CT at the former CCC/USDA facility and between the CCC/USDA facility and the PWS wells. No additional evidence was provided to suggest that the USD Agricultural Building was a source of contamination. CCC/USDA submitted a contingency interim measure work plan for well head treatment and/or an alternate water supply for the PWS wells in February 2009.

An approved groundwater monitoring program continues at the Site with annual sampling of monitoring wells and semi-annual sampling of PWS wells. CT was last detected at trace concentrations below the MCL in PWS #2 and PWS #3. Monitoring results collected from the Site are being evaluated to determine the appropriate corrective action for remediation.