Former Chamberlain Manufacturing Site, Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa - Fact Sheet, July 2021

Public Comment Period for Proposed Explanation of Significant Differences

Introduction

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 invites the public to comment on the Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) that proposes to modify the soil remediation goals for Corrective Measures (Final Remedy) for the former Chamberlain Manufacturing Site, located at 550 Esther Street, Waterloo, Iowa.

Proposed Modification to Final Remedy

The Final Remedy selected for the site entails the removal of contaminated soil and implementation of land use controls. Areas of the former facility property with surface soil contaminated with several metals and semi-volatile compounds will be excavated and disposed off-site. The land use controls will prohibit the use of groundwater and require future buildings to be constructed with vapor intrusion mitigation systems. Use controls will also require that soils disturbed at the facility be characterized for potential contaminants prior to handling and removing from the property.

This ESD is proposing to modify the surface soil remediation goals for the Final Remedy to be consistent with recently revised Iowa State Soil Cleanup Standards. Additionally, the proposed modification to the soil remediation goals will remain consistent with EPA’s risk-based remediation standards.

EPA encourages the public to review this proposed ESD and the Administrative Record, which contains documents supporting the proposed modification to the Final Remedy.

The public comment period will run from July 26, 2021, to Aug. 25, 2021.

Written comments on the proposed modification to the Final Remedy should be mailed or emailed no later than Aug. 25, 2021, and sent to:

Bruce A. Morrison
EPA Region 7 (LCRD/ROAG)
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Email: morrison.bruce@epa.gov

Contaminants

Environmental investigations have identified elevated concentrations of arsenic, lead, cadmium, trichloroethylene, and several additional semi-volatile organic compounds in soils. Extensive groundwater contamination is primarily attributable to trichloroethylene and its breakdown compounds.

Background

The former Chamberlain Manufacturing Site was a manufacturing plant for metal washer wringer and projectile metal parts from approximately 1919 until 1996. During operations, certain solvents were utilized for degreasing finished metal products and were released to the environment.

From 2004 until recently, environmental investigations have characterized the contamination at the site. Vapor intrusion of trichloroethylene into nearby homes has been identified, with some of the homes receiving mitigation systems to address the potential health risks associated with exposures of this nature.

EPA published a Statement of Basis for public comment that proposed a Final Remedy for the site on June 10, 2020. The Final Remedy was selected by EPA on July 24, 2020.

For More Information

The Explanation of Significant Differences and Administrative Record are available for public review during normal business hours at the following locations:

Waterloo City Hall, 2nd Floor
Planning and Zoning Department
715 Mulberry Street
Waterloo, IA 50701
Phone: 319-291-4366

EPA Region 7 Records Center
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Phone: 1-800-223-0425

If you have questions, please contact:

Ben Washburn
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 7 (ORA/OPA)
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: washburn.ben@epa.gov

If the ESD and Administrative Record are not physically available at the locations above (e.g., due to COVID-19), an electronic copy can be provided upon request by contacting Ben Washburn.

After consideration of all comments received, EPA will make a Final Decision on the proposed ESD. If the decision is made to implement the ESD, EPA will notify all persons submitting comments or requesting a notice of the Final Decision.