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Fact Sheet

April 2015

Pools Prairie Superfund Site, Neosho, Newton County, Missouri

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pools Prairie Superfund Site was discovered in July 1994 through a citizen's complaint of gasoline contamination in a well located west of Highway 71 on Quince Road, southwest of the Neosho, Mo., city limits. Numerous studies conducted since 1994 have indicated the presence of thousands of pounds of solvent-related compounds in multiple areas of the Pools Prairie Site. Sources of the solvent contamination (primarily trichloroethylene) have included placement of waste solvent into unlined lagoons, leaking of solvent from manmade structures, and use of the solvent for weed control.

Four potential source areas have been identified at the Pools Prairie site. These areas are divided into four operable units (OUs): the Components Test Area, the Quince Road Area, the Engine Test Area, and the Manufacturing Plant Area.

OBJECTIVES

EPA's short-term and long-term objectives at the Pools Prairie Site include restoring groundwater to beneficial use, if possible, and preventing further human exposure to contaminants. This is done by removing or containing the source(s) of contamination, cleaning up affected groundwater, and providing affected citizens with access to clean water.

Since the early 1990s, a number of Superfund-related investigations, cleanup responses, and other actions to meet EPA's objectives at the site have occurred, including:

Water Filtration Systems & Water Main Installation

In 1998, whole-house water treatment units were provided to approximately 37 residences in the Neosho area. This interim measure was implemented until a long-term action to address the contamination in private wells could be finalized.

Water mains and related connections were installed in 2000 to provide city water to affected residences at the site. The water mains were extended in 2014. As of 2014, more than 15 miles of water mains have been installed serving a total of 243 residences.

Components Test Area

From 1999 through the summer of 2002, engineering controls and contaminant containment at the Components Test Area resulted in the extraction and treatment of approximately 310,000 gallons of contaminated groundwater. This action resulted in an estimated 1,200 pounds of volatile organic compounds (VOC) being removed from the area.

In addition, excavation and landfarming (the periodic tilling of soil for aeration) of contaminated soils and passive soil vapor extraction (SVE) from adjacent soils took place from 2002 to 2005. This action resulted in the aeration of approximately 13,900 cubic yards of VOC-impacted soils, and treating and discharging approximately 2,013,500 gallons of water.

Quince Road Area

In 2003, the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) for the Quince Road Area was finalized, recommending soil vapor extraction for removal of contaminants. In 2005, the soil vapor extraction system was installed and became fully operational, with 13 vapor extraction wells. By spring 2008, the system had attained all cleanup goals, resulting in an estimated removal of approximately 3,200 pounds of VOCs from the subsurface.

Engine Test Area

In 2000, an interim remedial action response was completed at the Engine Test Area, resulting in the extraction of 40,000-60,000 gallons of highly contaminated liquids from the hazardous waste pit. Excavation and landfarming of the highly contaminated hazardous waste pit soils was conducted in 2006, and soil vapor extraction activities took place at the former test stands during 2007-2009.

ONGOING WORK

Manufacturing Plant Area

A source removal action to address this area is scheduled to begin in spring 2015. The approved Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis for the Manufacturing Plant Area recommended a combination of soil excavation with treatment by landfarming, soil vapor extraction and bioventing at four primary and three secondary source areas.  Approximately 10,000 cubic yards of soil will be excavated and treated, and soil vapor extraction will be applied to 24 SVE wells and 10 SVE trenches. The bioventing system will include the injection of atmospheric air into the shallow soil through 18 wells. This removal action is anticipated for completion in 2017.

Site-Wide Groundwater

The site-wide groundwater investigation is being conducted in two phases. The first phase, the Phase 1 Remedial Investigation (RI), is nearing completion and will provide a better understanding of groundwater flow in the Springfield Plateau (shallow) and Ozark (deep) aquifers. It will also assess how groundwater flow affects the presence and distribution of contaminants in groundwater, springs and surface water.

In order to meet the Phase 1 RI objectives, data is being collected at various locations in the area and includes samples from wells, springs and streams to evaluate groundwater flow and potential groundwater discharge locations. In addition, nine new monitoring wells have been installed.

The results of the Phase 1 RI work will be summarized in a comprehensive report that will be used to determine additional work to be conducted during the second phase. The second phase of work will determine the extent of contamination and evaluate alternatives for the remediation of groundwater.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Site documents are available for the public to review at the following locations:

U.S. EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, Kansas 66219

Neosho City Hall
203 E. Main
Neosho, Missouri 64850

If you have questions or need additional information, 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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