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EPA Selects Long-Term Cleanup Action for Federal Superfund Site in Caledonia, New York

Release Date: 10/03/2000
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(#00175) New York, N.Y. -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected a final cleanup plan for the chemical-contaminated soil and groundwater associated with the Jones Chemical, Inc. Superfund site in Caledonia, Livingston County, New York. Jones Chemical, Inc., which changed its name to JCI Jones Chemical, Inc. in January 1999, has been an active chemical manufacturing, repackaging, and distribution company since 1939. Through the plant’s operation, chemical spills contaminated the soil and groundwater. The site was placed on EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL) in February 1990. The selected cleanup plan calls for the in-place treatment of the contaminated soils at the location of a former aboveground solvent tank. In addition, groundwater treatment systems will be installed to clean up the most contaminated areas of the groundwater. Lesser contaminated areas will be addressed through the natural breakdown of the contaminants. The Agency estimates that the soil cleanup will take three years to complete and the groundwater treatment system will operate for approximately 15 years to achieve New York State and federal drinking water standards. The overall cost of the cleanup, including operation and maintenance of the treatment systems, is expected to be $2.3 million. "This is a comprehensive cleanup plan," EPA Regional Administrator Jeanne M. Fox said. "It addresses all of the contamination problems at the site using proven technologies that have worked successfully at federal Superfund sites with the same kind of chemicals and contaminated soil and groundwater," Ms. Fox explained. Groundwater contamination was first reported at the site in July 1981 in on-site wells used in the manufacturing process and in the water discharged to on-site lagoons. Following the listing of the site on the NPL, EPA signed an order with JCI Jones Chemicals, Inc. requiring the company to undertake an investigation and study to determine the nature and extent of the contamination and to evaluate remedial alternatives. To comply with state discharge requirements, in 1996, Jones installed an air stripper to remove chemicals from the groundwater it was using in its manufacturing process. Monitoring of the discharge water indicates that the chemicals are now below levels requiring treatment. EPA held a public meeting in Caledonia on August 14, 2000 to discuss the proposed plan with the public. A public comment period was held from July 20, 2000 through August 19, 2000. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has concurred with the long-term remedy EPA has selected for the site.