Background:
The 33 Water
Street site was one of several properties formerly owned by or adjacent to the
Creese and Cook Tannery Company, which operated a tannery and finishing
facility in the early 1900s. Operations included the use and disposal of
tannery wastes including leather scraps and hazardous substances including
heavy metals and organic contaminants. The Creese and Cook Site was proposed
for inclusion on EPA’s National Priority List in September 2012 and was
included in the final listing of NPL sites on May 24, 2013.
From 1986 to 1987,
the 33 Water Street property was redeveloped into the Crane River East
Condominium complex. The Site is currently privately owned by the Crane River
East Condominiums, is approximately 3.45 acres, and is located in a mixed
residential/commercial area. The Site includes four buildings containing a
total of 28 two-story condominium units (Buildings A, B, C and D). The
remainder of the Site consists of paved roadways and parking areas, landscaped
areas and grass lawn areas, and abuts the MBTA right of way. Vehicle and
pedestrian access to the property is unrestricted. Each condominium unit is
individually owned but managed pursuant to a condominium association, the Crane
River East Condominiums.
What Has Been Done to Cleanup the
Site?
EPA previously
conducted a Removal Action at this property in 2021. The Action Memorandum
authorized a removal action consisting of the removal of contaminated soil to a
depth of three feet, the groundwater table, or until the cleanup concentrations
are achieved, whichever is less. EPA excavated approximately 2400 tons of
contaminated soils containing arsenic, chromium, and polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) from beneath the surface of the asphalt parking lots (in
front of Buildings A, B, C and D); along the northwest corner of Building D;
and in the western yard areas.
EPA re-visited the
site in 2025 to complete additional sampling and small-scale removal of
contaminated soil containing arsenic, which was completed September 2025.
What is the Current Site Status?
The excavation and
disposal of contaminated soil is complete. EPA will return in Spring 2026 to
complete response related damages. EPA continues
to work in the area on the Creese and Cook
Tannery (Former) Superfund Site.
The Administrative
Record is available for public review online at:
or using this QR code.
Locations to access the
online Administrative Record include:
- U.S. EPA SEMS Records and
Information Center, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA,
02109-3912, (617) 918-1440, by appointment
