Site Narrative:
Chemical Commodities, Inc. (CCI) operated from 1951 to 1989 as a broker that bought and sold, new, used, off-specification, and surplus chemicals of all types. The sources of these materials were both private companies and the US government. Chemicals were stored in containers of all types including USTs, ASTs, drums, at least one tanker trailer, barrels, boxes, and sheds. Poor handling and storage practices are thought to have led to releases and spills detected at the site.
The Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (FS) has been completed for the site identifying soil and groundwater contamination. Indoor air contamination by volatiles has been detected in homes near the site and a Baseline Risk Assessment indicated an acute risk from indoor air. Indoor air ventilation systems (radon pumps) have been offered and installed in 22 homes. A removal action by EPA in 2003 removed a soil pile and a building onsite. The groundwater interceptor trench onsite was closed and plugged in late 2004 and a bedrock investigation was completed for the site.
The Consent Decree went into effect in February 10, 2009. Indoor air ventilation systems were inspected and repaired in March 2009. A Remedial Design Work Plan received KDHE approval on June 18, 2009.
RDWP field work began in October 2009 and ran through March 2010. RDWP field work included monitoring well installation, permeability tests on five monitoring wells, injection tests on four monitoring wells, soil and groundwater sample collection, and analytical data validation.
The Remedial Action Work Plan was approved by KDHE on May 5, 2011. Implementation of the plan began shortly after approval and was completed on August 25, 2011. Activities included the excavation of eight 5 ft. - diameter large auger borings with a corresponding piping network on Ogletree Street, the on-site source area soil removal (2,688 tons of hazardous waste and 2,477 tons of non-hazardous waste), installations of the on-site oxidant vault, piping network and four chemical oxidation trenches (T-1 through T-4), and a geo-synthetic membrane cap to inhibit the mobility of the contamination left in place. The site was fenced and seeded for grass with an erosion control mating installed.
Due to the contaminants impacting surface soils down to the bedrock it is not feasible to remove all contaminated soils on site. Therefore, 1,000 pounds of permanganate was distributed along the bottom of the excavation prior to backfilling.
Boeing held a ceremonial dedication of the site, honoring the CAG and project team on May 31, 2012.
Injections of permanganate have successfully been administered to the formation, and will continue until contaminant levels reduce significantly. Semi-annual monitoring of the groundwater will continue until contaminants of concern are below site specific thresholds.
Oxidant deliveries have periodically had daylighting issues. One well (MW-36B) was removed from the injection schedule which has eliminated daylighting. Transmissivity is limited in some of the wells as noted by persistent detections of permanganate. Oxidant was last delivered to the trenches in September 2015.
A five year review was conducted in September 2015 as was a pollinator group informational and monarch tagging event.
Oxidant was delivered 9 times between 2011 and 2023. Injections were paused from 2017-2020 to determine if further injections would be beneficial for mass reduction.
In 2018 indoor Air sampling took place within the estimated plume area and found sufficient airborne contaminants to begin a Remedial Action program installing Vapor Intrusion Mitigation System (VIMS) within homes within the estimated boundaries of the plume. This remains an ongoing process including repair and maintenance.
In January of 2025 the site was separated into 2 OU's. 1 for groundwater contamination and 1 for VI.
The 2026 five year review was conducted at the site. |