Illinois EPA referred the case to U.S. EPA on November 29, 2010 to address the seepage of low pH material inside the basements of two homes located on the 2000 block of Berkley Street in Rockford, Illinois.  Two homes located at 2014 and 2012 Berkley were assessed by U.S. EPA on April 26, 2011 by OSC Craig Thomas and START contractor Weston Solutions.  Eight soil samples and one ground water sample was collected.  Results of pH of the soil varied from Ph 3 to 7.5.  Arsenic was detected in two of the samples exceeding ATSDR values.  Total cyanide was detected in two samples above ATSDR screening values.  Benzo-a-pyrene was detected above screening values in six investigative soil samples. 

Based on the results of the site assessment, conditions were determined to be a threat to human health and the environment.  OSC Craig Thomas prepared and Action Memorandum to address the conditions documented at the site.  The Action memorandum was signed on July 8, 2011 by Richard Karl Director of the Superfund Division. 

Due to other site commitments , the site was transferred to OSC Steve Faryan in October of 2011 to implement the remedy in the signed action memorandum. 

OSC Faryan initiated a sampling event on November 1, 2011 to define the extent of contamination and began obtaining bids to prevent the seepage of the low pH material into the two homes at 2012 and 2014 Berkley Street.

US EPA collected samples from 48 locations and used the geoprobe unit to collect depth samples to a depth of 6 feet.  The samples were screened with an XRF and the higest concentrations were sent to the laboratory for metals and semi volatile analysis.  The data was plotted on maps to determine the extent of contamination.

US EPA received bids from sub-contractors to install drain tiles, sumps and sump pumps and to place a waterproof barrier on the walls of the homes to prevent contact to the compounds detected.  ER LLC awarded the contactract on November 6 and scheduled to implement the work.

U.S. EPA mobilized the EERS contractor Environmental Restoration LLC to clean the basements prior to implementing the waterproofing, drainage tiles installation and sump placement.  In addition, surface removal of soil was initiatied and the soil was placed in a roll off box.

1.1.2.1 Location
The two residential homes are located at 2012 and 2014 Berkley Street Rockford, Illinois.  The entire block was assessed and is bordered to the East by Stewart Avenue, to the South by Preston Street, and to the West by Webster Street.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and ATSDR assessed data and determined there is a direct contact threat to humans from the this low pH liquid containing Poly nuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's), and Arsenic and cyanide.  .

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

US EPA, START and ER mobilized to the site on November 1, 2011 to collect geoprobe core samples and to determine the extent of contamination.  The geoprobe was used to collect 48 locations to a debth of 3 to 6 feet.  The observations of the core showed a clean clay material in the first 2.5 feet and then a stained layer of ash, metallic deposits, dark blue stained soil and coke and coal from 2.5 feet to around 5.5 feet beneath the surface.  The samples were screened with an XRF unit to determine if elevated metals were in the sample.  The samples that were stained or exhibited an elevated metals reading were sent to the lab for metals, cyanide and semi volatile analysis.  The results were used to excavate surface hot spots and visual hot spots.