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EPA in Kansas

57th & North Broadway Superfund Site, Wichita, Kansas - Fact Sheet, June 2018

Public Comment Period for Proposed Plan

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7, in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), has completed the Proposed Plan for the 57th & North Broadway Superfund Site, located in Wichita, Kansas. The Proposed Plan identifies Alternative 8 as the preferred alternative for cleaning up the contaminated soil and groundwater at Operable Unit 3.

PROPOSED REMEDY

Alternative 1 – No Action
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)-required no-action alternative, in which no action is undertaken.
 
Alternative 2 – Groundwater Monitoring/Capping of Soils
Would isolate the contaminated soils by containing them and capping it.
 
Alternative 3 – Groundwater Monitoring/Excavation and Off-Site Disposal of Soils
Would include excavation of contaminated soils and off-site disposal.
 
Alternative 4 – Groundwater Monitoring/Excavation and On-Site Treatment of Soils
Would include excavation of contaminated soils followed by on-site treatment.
 
Alternative 5 – Groundwater Extraction and Treatment/Excavation and On-Site Treatment of Soils
Would use groundwater extraction wells and above-grade treatment.
 
Alternative 6 – In Situ Chemical Oxidation of Upgradient Groundwater Plume/Groundwater Extraction and Treatment/Excavation and On-Site Treatment of Soils
Would include in situ chemical oxidation to provide additional treatment of the more contaminated portions of the groundwater plume.
 
Alternative 7 – Monitoring of Groundwater/Excavation and Off-Site Disposal of Soils/Soil Vapor Extraction
Would include excavation of contaminated soils and install observation wells.
 
Alternative 8 – Groundwater Extraction and Treatment/In Situ Chemical Oxidation of Upgradient Groundwater Plume/Excavation and Off-Site Disposal of Soils
Would include using an injection of hydrogen peroxide with ozone to treat the contaminated groundwater.
 

For a detailed summary of all eight remedial alternatives, please visit EPA's website

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Oral and written comments will be accepted during the 30-day public comment period for this site, which begins June 8, 2018, and ends July 8, 2018. The public may submit their comments to EPA prior to the close of the comment period by submitting them to Pamela Houston, Community Engagement Specialist, via telephone, mail or email at the address listed below.

SITE BACKGROUND

The site is located near the northern portion of Wichita. The site extends approximately ½ mile to the west of North Broadway Avenue, between 61st Street on the north and 53rd Street on the south. Two public water supply fields are located within or adjacent to the site.

Contamination at the site includes soil and groundwater contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 1,4-dioxane. The specific locations and dates of releases of contaminants to the soils and groundwater are unknown.

In 2003, the Chisholm Creek Utility Authority (CCUA) installed a public water supply well immediately downgradient of the 57th & North Broadway Site groundwater contaminant plume. EPA has been collecting water samples from this well, as part of its monitoring program, since 2007.

CONTAMINATION

VOCs are carbon compounds, such as solvents, which readily volatilize at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Most are not readily dissolved in water, but their solubility is above health-based standards for potable use.

1,4-dioxane is a clear liquid that easily dissolves in water. 1,4-dioxane is used primarily as a solvent in the manufacture of chemicals and as a laboratory reagent. For additional information please visit this Fact Sheet.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EPA assessed the ability of the public to access information about the site, including the Proposed Plan and its Administrative Record file, through an internet-based repository, and determined that the local community has this ability. For additional site information, please visit EPA's website.

EPA CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions or site information, please contact:

Amer Safadi
Remedial Project Manager
U.S. EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Phone: 913-551-7825
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: safadi.amer@epa.gov

Pamela Houston 
Community Engagement Specialist
U.S. EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Phone: 913-551-7699
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: houston.pamela@epa.gov