Story Map
Click on the image below to view an interactive Story Map detailing EPA's progress at the Site.
On September 8, 2021 the State of Utah requested EPA Region 8
assistance with a release of mixed substances, including low levels of
mercury and other unknown materials, at a pond in Fairmont Park in Salt Lake
City, Utah.
Salt Lake City Emergency Management has closed the park’s pond out of an abundance of caution until further notice. Currently there is no risk to the drinking water supply or to irrigation in Salt Lake City.
On September 9, 2021, EPA deployed a Federal On-Scene
Coordinator (OSC) and Response Team to Salt Lake City to continue to
support the Salt Lake City Public Utilities, Salt Lake County Health, and Utah Department of Environmental
Quality to conduct additional screening assessments.
When EPA arrived on scene,
staff began to conduct a reconnaissance of the area and monitor the area for
any sources of mercury. Mercury vapor analysis showed no elevated levels of mercury
vapors around the park, along the irrigation ditches/creek, along the perimeter
of the burnt struct and along the perimeter of the structure under demolition.
On September
10, EPA began to collect water and sediment samples for offsite analysis for
mercury contamination. Sampling is being conducted to help understand and
characterize any potential impacts to the pond and irrigation ditch/creek.
Sampling results form water and sediment samples taken on both September 10 and September 11 showed no mercury contamination in the pond, water or metal holding tank.
All sampling results and maps maybe viewed under the Documents section of the response.epa.gov site.
EPA demobilized from the site on September 11, 2021.
