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Fact Sheet
August 2005
Bruno Co-op Superfund Site
Bruno, Nebraska
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) hereby announce the completion of construction activities for the selected remedy to address groundwater contamination at the Bruno Co-op site in Bruno, Nebraska. Treated groundwater from the cleanup system is now available to the general public as a component of the completed remedy. This discharged water is intended for general use (agricultural, fire protection, and construction) and is not intended or suitable to be utilized as a source of drinking water.
Availability Session EPA invites you to an Availability Session: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 Staff members involved at the site will be available to discuss site activities and answer your questions. Your comments during and after the meeting are encouraged. |
SITE BACKGROUND
The Nebraska Department of Health discovered groundwater contamination in late 1984 during routine sampling of Bruno’s public water supply wells. Additional groundwater sampling of the public water supply wells confirmed the presence of the following volatile organic compounds: carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and 1,2-dichloroethane. These chemicals were also found in soils located where the Commodity Credit Corporation/United States Department of Agriculture operated a grain storage facility at the site. The chemicals were used for grain fumigation. EPA supplied bottled water to Bruno residents from May 1989 until two new public water supply wells were completed in 1990. In June 1996, the Bruno Co-op site was placed on EPA’s National Priorities List, a list of top priority sites in the country that are eligible for cleanup under EPA’s Superfund Program.
In 1998, EPA issued a Record of Decision that was updated in 2000 by a subsequent decision document, known as an Explanation of Significant Differences. These documents explain how the groundwater contamination at the site was addressed and include the following components:
- Pump and treat contaminated groundwater to restore the aquifer for future use;
- Monitor the groundwater contamination and periodically review the results to determine the effectiveness of the pump and treat system;
- Treat the contaminated groundwater pumped out of the ground by conventional air stripping method;
- Discharge the treated groundwater to a nearby tributary of Skull Creek and also make the water available to the public for non-potable, beneficial reuse; and
- Abandon former public water supply well 36-1 in accordance with state requirements and return public water supply well 65-1 to use, if necessary, as a source of drinking water in times of high demand.
Construction of the remedy was completed in June 2005. The timeframe for operating the remedy is estimated at approximately 20 years.
AVAILABILITY OF DISCHARGED GROUNDWATER TO THE PUBLIC
The groundwater treatment system in Bruno reduces the Superfund site contaminants of concern (carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and 1,2-dichloroethane) to acceptable levels, but the water is not additionally treated for human consumption. Therefore, the water cannot be used for drinking, washing, or bathing. The water is available through a hose reel located on the exterior east side of the treatment building that is located on the south side of Railroad Street on the north portion of the Bruno Co-op property. The location is shown on a map at the end of this Fact Sheet.
The groundwater is available to the public at no cost and will be continuously provided from spring to fall of each year. The beneficial re-use water distribution system will not be operational during winter months of potential freezing temperatures. The nominal 2-inch diameter hose will discharge water at approximately 40 gallons per minute and is operated by a single switch. Instructions and signs are posted near the hose reel.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A file containing the site-related documents, called the Administrative Record File, is available for public review at the following information repositories during normal business hours:
Bruno Post Office U.S. EPA- Region 7
205 2nd Street 901 North 5th St.
Bruno, NE Kansas City, KS
Questions can be submitted to EPA at the meeting on August 17th or submitted to:
Debbie Kring, Community Involvement
Coordinator – U.S. EPA – Region 7
Office of External Programs
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Fax: (913) 551-7066
E-mail: kring.debbie@epa.gov
OR
Dave Drake – EPA Project Manager
U.S. EPA – Region 7
Superfund Division
(913) 551-7626
Fax: (913) 551-7063
E-mail: drake.dave@epa.gov
SITE LOCATION
