2009 CPEO Military List Archive

From: "Laura Olah" <cswab@merr.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 2009 09:45:47 -0700 (PDT)
Reply: cpeo-military
Subject: [CPEO-MEF] CSWAB UPDATE: Solvent Persists in Groundwater near Badger AAP
 
CSWAB UPDATE
Solvent Persists in Groundwater near Badger Army Ammunition Plant
 
WISCONSIN -- Recent testing by the U.S. Army has detected elevated
concentrations of the carcinogenic solvent Trichloroethylene (TCE) in
groundwater at the far west boundary of the Badger Army Ammunition Plant.  
In March 2009, TCE levels were detected at 25 parts per billion (ppb) which
exceeds the safe drinking water standard of 5 ppb.  However state regulators
said additional investigation or private well testing is not justified until
there is a significant increasing trend in contaminant concentrations. 
 
In response to a July 13 inquiry from CSWAB, the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources (WDNR) confirmed that the most recent March 2009 increase
to 25 ppb is similar to an early 2006 increase to approximately the same
level.  At that time, the WDNR collected samples from three private wells in
the Maple Park area which is approximately ¼ mile to the south of monitoring
well BGM-9103.  No volatile organic compounds, including TCE, were detected
in these wells.  
 
WDNR officials said that they believe the Maple Park area is probably not in
the direct path of contamination because groundwater flow appears to be more
to the southeast.  For this reason, WDNR officials believe that the source
of the TCE may be located west of Badger.  
 
?Because the trend of TCE concentrations in BGM-9103 of the last two years
has been to be below or near the Enforcement Standard, no investigation
action is justified at this time, and will not be until an upward and
elevated trend is apparent in the BGM-9103 TCE data,? WDNR said.  ?Recent
history implies that the TCE levels in this well are stable but can
occasionally fluctuate.? 
 
Tentative results from the Army?s June sampling round indicate that the TCE
level in this monitoring well has decreased to approximately 6 ppb.  WDNR
said that it will continue to monitor TCE levels in this monitoring well as
quarterly testing occurs.  
 
CSWAB has asked regulators and the Army for groundwater studies that verify
groundwater flow direction and has recommended testing additional
groundwater monitoring wells in the vicinity.   This information will help
identify private wells that may be at risk.  TCE has been consistently
detected in BGM-9103 since 2002.

POSTED BY:
Laura Olah, Executive Director
Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger (CSWAB)
E12629 Weigand's Bay South
Merrimac, WI  53561
(608) 643-3124
info@cswab.org
www.cswab.org
 
 

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