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Fact Sheet
February 2012
Fifth Five-Year Review Started, Johns' Sludge Pond Superfund Site, Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts regular reviews on Superfund sites where cleanups have been completed. These reviews are required by the Superfund law [42 U.S.C. Section 9621 (c)]. EPA Region 7 and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) have started the fifth five-year review of the Johns’ Sludge Pond Superfund site in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
SITE BACKGROUND
The site is located near 29th Street and Hydraulic Avenue in Wichita, Kansas. From 1951 to 1970, the Super Refined Oil Company, which is no longer in business, recycled waste oil and disposed of an estimated 7,000 cubic yards of oily sludge into an unlined pond. Some flooding occurred during heavy rainfalls. Before cleanup, the pond contained acidic sludge and acidic water. EPA also found heavy metals in the sludge and water, including lead and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Under EPA guidelines, the city of Wichita conducted a cleanup removing and solidifying sludge from the pond. A liner was installed on the bottom and sides of the pond to create a protective disposal cell for the treated sludge. The city constructed a compacted cover over the cell and fenced the area to protect the cap. Deed restrictions restrict future land uses of the property.
The city of Wichita currently conducts annual ground water, surface water, and sediment monitoring at the site and provides long-term site maintenance of the cap and monitoring wells.
THE FIVE-YEAR REVIEW
EPA and the city of Wichita inspected the site on September 12, 2011. During this fifth five-year review, the records and reports concerning ground water, surface water, and sediment monitoring data will be reviewed. The previous five-year reviews and the land use will also be examined.
It was recommended in the previous five-year review that:
- The Wichita Department of Environmental Health should continue to monitor the ground water, the surface water, and the sediment at the site; and
- The Wichita Department of Public Works and Park Service should continue to inspect and maintain the capped area and the monitoring wells.
The results of the previous five-year review show that the remedy for the site continues to remain protective of human health and the environment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The site Administrative Record is available at the following locations during normal business hours:
Wichita City Hall
455 N. Main St.
Wichita, Kansas
EPA Records Center
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, Kansas
Questions or requests for information can be submitted to:
Ben Washburn
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
Toll-free: (800) 223-0425
Email: washburn.ben@epa.gov