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Fact Sheet 3 June 1991
Remedial Investigation
Southeast Rockford Groundwater Contamination
Rockford, Illinois
Winnebago County
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is conducting a remedial (environmental) investigation as part of the Southeast Rockford Groundwater Contamination project. This investigation will be carried out by the Illinois EPA contractor, Camp, Dresser, and McKee.
What is the purpose of the investigation?
The purpose of the investigation includes two goals:
- Identify the source or sources of industrial solvents found in southeast Rockford private wells
- Evaluate the depth and horizontal extent of this solvent contamination
The industrial solvents are a class of chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
What has been done to protect residents with contaminated private wells?
In the summer and fall of 1990, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) connected over 280 southeast Rockford homes to the Rockford public water supply system, because levels of industrial solvents in the private wells of these homes posed a possible threat from short-term exposure.
In the Spring of 1991, the Illinois EPA completed a study that identified approximately 240 additional private wells with lower levels of contamination that may pose a health threat from long-term exposure. This summer, U.S. EPA will connect these additional homes to the Rockford public water supply system also. Wells sampled are located between the Rock River and 24th Street in an area approximately bounded by Harrison Avenue and Sandy Hollow Road. Not all wells in this area, however, are contaminated.
Where will the environmental investigation take place?
Based on private well sample results, the Illinois EPA defined an expanded area for investigation bounded by the Rock River, Harrison Avenue, Sandy Hollow Road and approximately 1.25 miles east of Alpine Road. These boundaries do not indicate areas of known contamination but represent the geographical area of study which must include uncontaminated as well as contaminated segments. By comparing groundwater flow in contaminated and uncontaminated segments in the study area, one can begin to focus on possible sources.
How will the investigation be carried out?
The investigation includes a soil gas survey in six neighborhoods and the installation and sampling of 11 sets of monitoring wells. In addition, the contractor will sample industrial and Illinois State Water Survey monitoring wells already in place.
What is a soil gas survey?
The soil gas survey is a relatively quick method of evaluating approximate concentrations of volatile organic compounds in the groundwater (underground water). The soil gas survey is conducted by driving a hollow tube into the ground to a depth of up to five feet and withdrawing gas (air) from the ground. The gas is analyzed on site for the VOCs found in the groundwater.
Why are monitoring wells installed?
The monitoring wells will be used to collect data on the direction of groundwater flow, the geology of the area, and the extent of contamination. Monitoring wells will be installed at different depths, so that the depth of contamination can be evaluated as well as the horizontal extent of contamination.
If my house is sitting on contaminated groundwater, am I exposed to the contaminants?
With contaminant concentrations found in southeast Rockford, the only route of exposure to contaminated groundwater is drinking, cooking or bathing with water from a contaminated private well. If you have Rockford public water, you need not be concerned about exposure to contaminated groundwater, because the Rockford water supply is regularly tested for the chemicals of concern.
Why do workers conducting the investigation wear protective clothing?
Protective clothing is used partly to keep workers dry as they conduct their work. Some protection is also standard procedure for workers who make a living investigating hazardous waste sites.
When will the investigation begin?
The soil gas survey began the first part of May. Installation of monitoring wells will begin within the next month.
When will we know the investigation results?
The results from the investigation will be made public in early 1992.
What will happen after the investigation results are known?
The results will be evaluated to determine whether additional monitoring wells need to be installed to identify the source(s) of contamination. After the source(s) are identified, the Illinois EPA will complete a study of alternatives for reducing or cleaning up the contamination. The public will be given an opportunity to comment on these alternatives before a final decision is made on the remedy.
Repositories and Administrative Record
More information on the Southeast Rockford Groundwater Contamination may be found in project repositories located at the Rockford Public Library and the Ken-Rock Community Center.
Technical Assistance Grants
Citizen groups desiring technical assistance in interpreting data from this investigation may be eligible for a Technical Assistance Grant (TAG). Municipalities, other governmental agencies, political subdivisions, potentially responsible parties, academic institutions and headquarters of public interest groups are not eligible to receive TAGS. However, members of these groups may belong to a community organization requesting a TAG.
Contact
For more information, please contact the Illinois EPA Office of Community Relations. Additional documents not available on this webpage may be obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request or through IEPA Document Explorer.