United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region V
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

See initial POLREP

Response activities to date

After a series of meetings with the Hartford Work Group respondents in the Summer/Fall of 2003, the U.S. EPA requested that Work Plans be submitted and site activities conducted to:

     Vapor Related Activities

- Determine the status of current operations and maintenance activities regarding the existing SVE system including a series of vacuum tests to determine the vacuum influence exerted upon the vapor control boring’s and corresponding vapor probes.

- The installation of a newly constructed vapor extraction well and a removal well for pilot testing purposes.

- Control of vapors into selected residential living spaces by interim protection measures.

-Investigation for petroleum pipelines and utility lines contaminant migration pathways.

- To date, a total of 38 homes have been inspected for “needs assessment” purposes.

- Oversee the pilot testing for interim control of petroleum vapors from an internally and externally installed sub-slab de-pressurization systems.

- Oversee PRP conducted tracer gas studies for in-home vapor protection systems effectiveness.

- Due to vapor intrusion into the Village of Hartford Community Center, an investigation to determine the cause and a series of vapor probes were installed adjacent to the Community Center was commissioned by the Hartford Working Group.

- Representatives from the Illinois Department of Public Health will conduct quarterly air sampling activities via summa canisters.

- U. S. EPA stipulated that elevated levels related to lower explosive limits must be ventilated to mitigate the potential of explosive vapor concentrations invading into the Village sanitary sewer system.

     Groundwater Related Activities

- Install 5 sentinel wells for Village of Hartford wellhead protection purposes.

- Present data for conceptual site groundwater modeling purposes.

- Investigate the lateral extent of free product hydrocarbons with the Work Group recommended random optical screening tool (ROST™ ).  

- Oversee the pilot testing for free product hydrocarbon removal.

- The existing SVE system continues to operate with routine maintenance occuring as needed.

- Pilot testing for removal of free product hydrocarbons will occur intermittently.

Vapor Related Activities

- Future actions will involve the ongoing removal of vapors by operation of  the existing SVE system.
  
- Pilot testing for free phase hydrocarbon pumping systems will continue on an as needed basis to collect pumping rate and related monitoring well data.

- A deteriorated sanitary sewer line along Watkins Street will be replaced in April, 2004.  This street has previously experienced a high frequency of residential vapor complaints.

- Oversee vapor migration pathway assessment and related investigations.

     Groundwater Related Activities

- Pilot testing for a multi-phase hydrocarbon pumping systems is expected to start up in May, 2004.

- Oversee dissolved phase hydrocarbon investigation activities.

- Petroleum pipeline and utility line investigation activities.

- Review ROST™  data and evaluate the lateral extent of the free phase hydrocarbon plume.

All of the above work has been completed while the U.S. EPA and the Hartford Working Group have been negotiating a Administrative Order on Consent (AOC).  The AOC was signed on March 17, 2004.  The AOC will become final once the public comment period closes (April 7) and the Agency response to comments are submitted.

- A public availability session and U.S. EPA sponsored public meeting including presentation was held on March 19, 2004.  Affected stakeholders provided comments to a court reporter.

- As a result of comments provided during the public meeting, the U.S. EPA is currently reviewing the requirement to perform needs assessments as requested by the affected stakeholders