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Fact Sheet

April 2011

Pools Prairie Superfund Site, Neosho, Newton County, Missouri

HISTORY

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 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. Causes of the solvent contamination (primarily trichloroethylene) have included placement of waste solvent into unlined lagoons, leaking of solvent from man-made 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 OU1, the Quince Road Area OU2, the Engine Test Area OU3, and the Manufacturing Plant Area OU4.

OBJECTIVES

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

CLEAN-UP PROGRESS

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 the following:

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.

As part of the long-term action, water mains and related connections were installed to provide city water to affected residences at the site. This action was completed in late 2000, resulting in the installation of more than 15 miles of water main and the subsequent connection of 233 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 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. A final report for activities conducted at the Engine Test Area is due later in 2011.

ONGOING WORK

Manufacturing Plant Area

Investigations at the Manufacturing Plant Area were largely completed in 2005, and an EE/CA was finalized in 2008. The removal action, as outlined in the EE/CA, is currently being planned to address contamination at this area.

Site-Wide Groundwater

A Phase I site-wide groundwater investigation is being planned and negotiated with the responsible parties. This investigation has three objectives:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

EPA Region 7
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas

Neosho City Hall
203 E. Main
Neosho, MO 64850

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:

Pam Houston
Community Involvement Coordinator
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
houston.pamela@epa.gov
Phone: 913-551-7699 or
Toll Free: 1-800-223-0425

POOLS PRAIRIE INVESTIGATIVE AREA

pools prairie map

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