During an oil spill at Haynes International in Kokomo, Indiana, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) discovered drums exposed in a creek bank on a neighboring property. The drums were in poor condition with some leaking contents onto the creek banks. IDEM requested assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in conducting a site assessment.
The site is currently the Yard Waste Recycling Center for the City of Kokomo. Until the 1970's, the City operated the site as a dump, and used a large incinerator on-Site. The creek bordering the property drains into Wildcat Creek, which is located a few hundred feet from the site.
On August 19, 2011, EPA conducted a site assessment at the property. EPA On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Shelly Lam observed drums in the creek bank and on the ground surface. Several drums appeared to contain paint. EPA and the Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) collected samples from drums, surface and subsurface soil. START and IDEM field screened samples with a x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and photo-ionization (PID) detectors. XRF results indicated high levels of metals in drums and soil. Laboratory analytical results showed lead, arsenic, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) above Regional Screening Levels (RSL).
On August 1, 2013, EPA entered into an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent with the City of Kokomo.
