The Findett Corp. OU01 site (the Site) consists of the former Findett Services Corporation property located in the city of St. Charles, MO. The Findett Services Corporation began operating in 1962 as an industrial materials processing service that reprocessed heat transfer fluids, hydraulic fluids, solvents, and catalysts. While in operation, the Findett Services Corporation was responsible for the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination that impacted soils and groundwater. The Findett Corp. site is the source area for a groundwater contamination plume that currently extends to the northeast of the site.
Analytical results of groundwater samples collected from monitoring wells indicate contamination in groundwater of both PCBs and VOCs. Compounds identified include PCB aroclors, trichloroethene, 1,4-dioxane, cis-1,2-dichloroethene and vinyl chloride. These contaminants are hazardous substances as defined in Section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. § 9601(14), and are designated as hazardous substances in 40 C.F.R. § 302.4.
The Site is located about 1,800 feet southwest of the Elm Point Well Field. The well field is a major active drinking water source for the City of St. Charles, MO. Groundwater contaminants present at the Site have the potential to impact the public water supply produced by the Elm Point Well Field.
In August 2020, the current Responsible Party (RP) for the site, Findett Corp., reported to the EPA that they would no longer be able to perform the requirements established in the Consent Order for the site. In order to continue operation of the groundwater treatment system at the site and the annual groundwater monitoring activities, the EPA signed an Action Memorandum on January 12, 2021, which authorized the takeover of all site operations by the EPA.
The memorandum authorized the EPA to conduct all site operations while further ongoing enforcement action are underway to identify a viable RP for the site. It is anticipated that EPA will continue to manage the site for 24 to 36 months, possibly through January 2024.
