Kalamazoo Superfund Site - Remediation

Remediation

Cleanup for Kalamazoo River Superfund site starts upstream and works downstream. The continuing PCB sources are first removed so that PCB levels will not further increase and spread into Lake Michigan. There is particular concern over continuing release of PCBs in the Bryant Mill Pond area. In response an action was expedited by the EPA in order to remove the PCB sediments. H.M. Holdings, one of the responsible parties paid for a portion of this remediation. This removal began in June 1998 and lasted until May 1999. This removal cost $7.5 million. After water diversion and sediment removal the PCB concentrations were found lower than 1 ppm (parts per million). The EPA released a Remedial Investigation report for the Allied Disposal site in 2008. This report is still being reviewed, with varying options of action for the remaining PCB concentrations still remaining. The most common option for PCB cleanup is called “monitored natural attenuation”, by the EPA. This natural process uses microbes and other forms to clean up the Superfund sites. Such a method can take decades to be effective but is minimally invasive to the environment. Two of the Operable Units, sections of the Superfund site, King Highway Landfill and Allied Inc., had sheet pile and caps installed. Sheet piles are used to minimize soil erosion in the river and act as a barrier between the landfill and river. Usually concrete, wood or steel is used. This method does not remove the PCB but acts as a protective layering containing them. Time Critical Removal Action was declared in spring 2007 at the Plainwell site. Currently the area of the Kalamazoo River between Plainwell and Otsego is currently unavailable to the public while remediation takes place. Removal includes sediment removal and reintroduction of native plants. The contaminated waste must be disposed of properly. Anything containing PCB concentration higher than 50 ppm (parts per million) is considered hazardous and is disposed of in Bellville’s Environmental Quality Corporation Wayne Disposal Landfill. This is a carefully monitored landfill that stores exclusively hazardous waste. Most of the waste however has a lower PCB concentration and can be disposed of at nearby landfills, such as Marshall Landfill.