Site Description

Three Rivers Gold Plating Company operated as an electro-plating facility until the building was condemned by the Allen County Building Department in early May, 2010. The facility electro-plated gold and platinum surfaces onto a wide variety of items such as jewelry, automotive parts, wheels, metal trim, music equipment, and metals such as brass, steel, aluminum, zinc die cast, pewter, and pot metal.

After conducting several inspections, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) requested USEPA assistance for further assessment of the facility. Upon inspection of the facility, IDEM and City of Fort Wayne officials observed multiple open electrical boxes, extension cords connected to various electrical equipment, a laboratory, and various containerized chemicals/solutions in drums, baths, and containers. A partially full 2,000-gallon waste storage above-ground storage tank (AST), partially filled poly totes, various 55-gallon drums, and one 85-gallon poly over pack drum labeled potassium cyanide were found on the property outside the facility.  

USEPA, the Superfund Technical Assistance and Response Team (START), and IDEM conducted an inspection on May 27, 2010. USEPA determined that a site assessment was required and returned on June 1, 2010 to conduct the site assessment. During the site assessment the OSC determined that conditions at the site necessitated immediate stabilization activities to mitigate the threat of a release. Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractors were mobilized to the site on June 2, 2010 to secure and cover all open drums, vats, and containers, and to further secure the building. 

Response Actions to Date

On November 8, 2010, USEPA, START, and ERRS mobilized to the site to begin removal activities. Initial site activities included replacing the locks on the facility gate and on the site building, delivery of site trailers, and staging of response-related equipment.  

From November 9 through November 13, 2010, USEPA contractors repaired site fencing, installed temporary lighting, moved debris, staged containers for future sampling and hazard categorization, established work zones, and installed a temporary shower. Due to the extreme amount of debris at the site, a significant amount of labor was required to relocate debris to allow for safe access to drums, vats, and containers.

Republic Services’ National Serv-All Hauling division transported one 20-cubic yard roll-off box containing RCRA empty containers and debris (Manifest #TR001) to National Serv-All Landfill (Republic Services) in Fort Wayne, IN, on November 13, 2010.

On-site air monitoring will be conducted using four AreaRAE units - each equipped with a HCN sensor, a MultiRAE, a Personal DataRam, a MicroR meter, and an ISC Pro GasBadge.  Air monitoring will be conducted for the following parameters; volatile organic compounds (VOCs), oxygen levels, carbon monoxide, explosive atmospheres, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide, dust, radiation, and hydrogen cyanide.  The AreaRAEs will be staged outside the facility once sampling activities begin.