Site Name: CHARLEVOIX MUNICIPAL WELL
EPA ID: MID980794390 EPA Region: 05 Metro Statistical Area:
LAKE SHORE DRIVE, CHARLEVOIX, MI 49720
Operable Unit:
ROD ID: EPA/ROD/R05-85/025 ROD Date: 09/30/85
Contaminant: PERCHLOROETHYLENE (PCE); TRICHLOROETHYLENE (TCE); VOCS
Keys: GROUNDWATER; INSTITUTIONAL CONTROLS; O&M; TETRACHLOROETHYLENE (PCE); TRICHLOROETHYLENE (TCE); VOCS
Abstract:
THE CITY OF CHARLEVOIX IS LOCATED ON THE SHORES OF LAKE MICHIGAN IN CHARLEVOIX COUNTY. THE CITY'S SINGLE MUNICIPAL WELL SUPPLIES POTABLE WATER TO A YEAR-ROUND POPULATION OF 3,500 WHICH INCREASES TO APPROXIMATELY 5,000 DURING THE SUMMER TOURIST SEASON. IN SEPTEMBER 1981, WHILE CONDUCTING TESTS FOR TRIHALOGENATED METHANE COMPOUNDS, THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (MDPH) DETECTED TRICHLOROETHYLENE (TCE) RANGING IN CONCENTRATIONS FROM 13 TO 30 PPB IN THE CHARLEVOIX WATER SUPPLY. DATA FROM THE MONITORING PROGRAM SHOWED GRADUALLY RISING LEVELS OF TCE AND PERCHLOROETHYLENE (PCE) IN THE RAW WATER. IN JUNE 1984, A RECORD OF DECISION WAS SIGNED WHICH APPROVED AN INITIAL REMEDIAL MEASURE (IRM) FOR AN ALTERNATE WATER SUPPLY TO REPLACE THE CONTAMINATED MUNICIPAL WELL. THE SELECTED IRM CONSISTED OF A LAKE MICHIGAN WATER INTAKE STRUCTURE AND A WATER FILTRATION/FLOCCULATION TREATMENT PLANT.
THE SELECTED REMEDIAL ACTION INVOLVES DISCHARGING THE TCE AND PCE PLUMES, UNDER NATURAL FLOW CONDITIONS, TO LAKE MICHIGAN. THE AQUIFER WOULD BE USABLE AFTER 50 YEARS. DURING THE 50-YEAR PURGING PERIOD, INSTITUTIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE INSTALLATION OF PRIVATE WELLS IN THE CONTAMINATED AQUIFER WILL BE ENFORCED BY LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS. IN ADDITION, LONG-TERM MONITORING OF THE PLUMES WILL CONTINUE. THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL O&M COSTS FOR MONITORING ARE $17,000.
Remedy:
THIS RECORD OF DECISION RECOMMENDS A REMEDY CONSISTING OF THREE DISTINCT ELEMENTS:
(1) ALLOW THE CONTAMINANT PLUMES TO DISCHARGE UNDER NATURAL FLOW CONDITIONS TO LAKE MICHIGAN.
(2) CONTINUE LONG-TERM MONITORING OF THE PLUMES DURING THE NATURAL PURGING PERIOD.
(3) INSTITUTIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE INSTALLATION OF PRIVATE WELLS IN THE CONTAMINATED AQUIFER WILL BE ENFORCED BY LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS.