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Fact Sheet

June 2015

Public Comment for Statement of Basis and Proposed Final Remedy for Cleanup, Hydrite Chemical Company, 2815 WCF&N Drive, Waterloo, Iowa

INTRODUCTION

EPA Region 7 invites the public to comment on the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Statement of Basis and the proposed final remedy for the Hydrite Chemical Company (Hydrite) facility (EPA ID# IAT200010593) in Waterloo, Iowa. The public comment period will run from June 15, 2015 through July 29, 2015.

Written comments should be mailed or emailed no later than July 29, 2015, and should be sent to:

Lisa Messinger
EPA Region 7 (AWMD/WRAP)
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
Email: messinger.lisa@epa.gov

BACKGROUND

The Hydrite facility is an active industrial chemical distribution center registered as a RCRA large quantity generator. The facility occupies approximately 31.07 acres in the northwestern section of Waterloo, Iowa, and has been in operation since 1980. The Hydrite facility is zoned industrial. Operations at the facility at various times have included the repackaging of product solvents, blending of dry and liquid products, and temporary storage of waste solvents. Chemicals distributed from the facility include organic solvents, inorganic acids and alkalis, chlorine, sulfur dioxide gas, and a variety of organic and inorganic dry chemicals.

The Hydrite facility operated an aboveground storage tank farm from 1981 to 1991. The tank farm [commonly referred to as the East Tank Farm (ETF)] was used for storage of virgin, reclaimed, and spent organic chemicals. The ETF was constructed with an approximate 2-foot-thick earthen clay base with a 2-foot clay dike. Hydrite submitted a Closure Plan for the closure of the aboveground hazardous waste tanks that was approved with modifications by EPA on May 30, 1991. On Sept. 25, 1991, Hydrite began closure activities in two phases: Phase I consisted of decontamination of the container storage area and the aboveground bulk storage tanks, including removal of the tanks; Phase II consisted of soil and ground water sample collection in the container storage area and the aboveground bulk storage tank area.

During the sampling activities 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, toluene, xylene, and tetrachloroethene (PCE) were detected in soil at concentrations above the closure performance standards. Ground water samples indicated elevated volatile organic compound concentrations in ground water. The ETF was therefore closed with waste remaining in place. Because hazardous waste remained in place in soils and ground water at levels above the closure performance standards, EPA and Hydrite entered into an Administrative Order on Consent on Dec. 29, 1993, requiring a full contaminant investigation, along with an evaluation of cleanup alternatives.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AT HYDRITE

Hydrite performed several phases of soil and ground water investigations to determine the nature and extent of contamination at the site. A more detailed description of the sampling activities is contained in the Administrative Record for this proposal. Based on the most recent soil sampling, soil contaminant concentrations remain in the ETF above risk-based cleanup standards.

During the most recent soil sampling event on April 3, 2012, Hydrite detected PCE in soil at 148 mg/kg and TCE at 377 mg/kg. The proposed cleanup value for PCE and TCE in soil (0.0316 mg/kg and 0.0114 mg/kg, respectively) will prevent leaching of contamination to ground water, while also being safe for future industrial use of the site.

During the most recent ground water sampling event in December 2014, Hydrite recorded the following ground water contaminant concentrations:

Compound

Concentration (µg/L)

MCL* (µg/L)

1,1-Dichloroethene

323

7

cis-1,2 Dichloroethene

789

70

1,1,1-Trichloroethane

378

200

Tetrachlorethene

303

5

Trichloroethene

142

5

*MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act

PROPOSED FINAL REMEDY

EPA is proposing the following corrective measures to address contamination at the Hydrite facility:

Facility Ground Water Contamination

Facility Soil Contamination

Vapor Intrusion

Institutional Controls

FOR MORE INFORMATION

EPA encourages the public to review the Administrative Record and provide comments.

Comments or requests should be submitted by July 29, 2015.

Guidelines for Commenting:

The Administrative Record is available at:

Waterloo Public Library
415 Commercial Street
Waterloo, IA 50701
319-291-4476

EPA Region 7 Library
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, Kansas 66219
913-551-7241

A public hearing has not been scheduled, but will be held if there is sufficient public interest. Requests for a public hearing must be made in writing to the EPA contact at the address listed above and must state the nature of issues to be raised at the hearing. EPA will evaluate any request and hold a formal hearing if EPA determines that a hearing will contribute to the decision-making process by clarifying significant issues affecting the remedy.

EPA will make the final remedy selection only after the public comment period ends and all comments are reviewed. EPA may modify the remedy based on any new information and comments from the public.

Individuals may write to the EPA contact below to join the mailing list. Joining the mailing list will allow an individual to receive any updated information directly throughout the permitting process. If you have questions or want to receive further information about the mailing list, please contact:

Brendan Corazzin
Community Engagement Specialist
U.S. EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, Kansas 66219
Email: corazzin.brendan@epa.gov
Phone: 913-551-7429 or
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425

 

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