NY Superfund site cleanup project to be finalized by EPA

Oct. 30, 2013
Eighteen Mile Creek Superfund site in Lockport, N.Y., will soon receive a $4 million cleanup from the Environmental Protection Agency.


NEW YORK, NY, Oct. 30, 2013 -- Eighteen Mile Creek Superfund site in Lockport, N.Y., will soon receive a $4 million cleanup from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Agency has finalized its plan to restore nine residential properties contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other contaminants, including lead and chromium. The properties and the former Flintkote Company plant are part of the Superfund site, which was added to the federal Superfund list in 2012, and encompass an area of approximately 2.25 acres along Water Street. This land contains contaminated dirt from the plant that was used as fill and may be further contaminated by periodic flooding of the adjacent creek.

Under the plan, the EPA will permanently relocate residents from five of the nine properties, demolish the five homes and excavate contaminated soil from all nine properties. In addition, an old industrial building at the former Flintkote Company plant property will also be demolished as part of the first phase of cleanup at Eighteen Mile Creek.

The Agency will also purchase six of the nine residential properties, which are all privately owned, and excavate the contaminated soil from these properties and from three vacant properties that are owned by the city of Lockport. The demolition of the remaining building at the former Flintkote plant will allow the EPA to sample soil under the building to determine if it is contaminated. The EPA plans to address contaminated soil at the Flintkote property during the next phase of cleanup for the site.

Accordingly, the second phase of the cleanup for the Eighteen Mile Creek site will address contaminated creek sediment and soil at several industrial and commercial properties in Lockport, which is also known as the Creek Corridor. The third phase will address contaminated sediment in the creek north of the Creek Corridor, from Lockport to the creek's discharge location into Lake Ontario.

"The cleanup of the residential properties is the first phase of a multi-faceted plan to clean up contamination from over a hundred years of industrial activity at this site," said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck.

PCBs are probable human carcinogens. PCBs can also affect the immune, reproductive, nervous, and endocrine systems and cause other health effects. Lead is a toxic metal that can cause damage to a child's ability to learn and can have serious, long-term health consequences for adults and children. Chromium may cause cancer and nervous system damage.

The EPA held a public meeting in Lockport on August 13, 2013 to explain its proposed plan. The EPA received public input for 30 days and considered public input before finalizing its decision.

###

Sponsored Recommendations

WIN-911 Alarm Notification Software Enables Faster Response

March 15, 2024
Alarm notification software enables faster response for customers, keeping production on track

Automated Fresh Water Treatment

March 15, 2024
SCADA, Automation and Control for Efficient and Compliant Operations

Digital Transformation Enables Smart Water

March 15, 2024
During this webinar we will discuss factors driving the transformation to digital water, water industry trends, followed by a summary of solutions (products & services) available...

Smart Water Solutions: Transforming the Water Universe

March 15, 2024
Water is our most valuable resource, and efficient and effective water and wastewater handling is crucial for municipalities. As industry experts, you face a number of challenges...