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Fact Sheet
April 2011
Removal Action at Ogallala Ground Water Superfund Site OU2, Ogallala, Keith County, Nebraska
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is continuing the remediation process at the Ogallala Ground Water Superfund site.
REMOVAL ACTION
On April 24, 2011, an EPA short term removal action will begin. This action will include the demolition of the building that housed the former dry cleaning facility on West A Street, as well as an adjacent garage and parking lot. After these demolitions, the soils under the buildings and parking lot will be removed. EPA anticipates the removal will take approximately five weeks, during which one lane of West A Street will be closed in front of the work site.
ABOUT THE CONTAMINATION
Perchloroethylene/tetrachloroethylene (PCE) is the contaminant of concern at the OU2 portion of the site. PCE is a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent. PCE is commonly used in dry-cleaning fluid, spot removers, and degreasers.
BACKGROUND
The Nebraska Department of Health discovered contamination in Ogallala's water supply wells during routine sampling in 1989. Since that time the City has installed a new well field. The Ogallala Ground Water Contamination site was placed on the National Priorities List in December 1994, making it eligible for cleanup under EPA's Superfund program. Several actions have already been taken to address contamination at other parts of the site.
A long term remedy for OU2 of this site was outlined in a Record of Decision (ROD), issued by EPA on February 3, 2006. This remedy is ongoing and uses treatment of the groundwater through chemical injections in areas from West A Street to East F Street.
In July of 2009, EPA began sampling and investigations to determine the source of the contamination. High concentrations of PCE were found in the soils around and under the former dry cleaning facility on West A Street.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Administrative Record and other site-related documents providing details of the nature and extent of contamination are available at the following locations during regular business hours:
Goodall City Library
203 W. A Street
Ogallala, Nebraska
EPA Region 7
Records Center
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:
Ben Washburn
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA, Region 7
Office of Public Affairs
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
913-551-7364
Toll-free 1-800-223-0425
E-mail: washburn.ben@epa.gov