Testing of the heating system being constructed at the Velsicol plant site in St. Louis should begin the week of Feb. 19.
If the equipment is working properly, heating of the soil should begin the week of Feb. 26, according to an email Thursday from Diane Russell, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator.
A web page for the public to obtain information on the in-place thermal treatment system, including monitoring data, is nearly complete.
An internet web link will be provided in the near future with a short tutorial video to help people learn how to navigate the web page.
Design work continues in area two of the plant site that will undergo the same in-place thermal treatment for contaminated soil at a later date.
St. Louis city officials have begun testing of the two new wells installed last year to provide additional water to the Gratiot Area Water Authority.
A two-year ecological study by Michigan State University in the Pine River downstream from the St. Louis dam is complete, according to Russell.
The ecological study supports the feasibility study, which has yet to be completed but will describe and evaluate cleanup alternatives for the portion of the river downstream from the dam.
“We’re looking at it in phases. We’re moving forward on what we’re going to do next on the downstream portion. This is one of a few studies to understand what needs to be done down there,” Russell said.
The EPA and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality expect an update on the feasibility study from MSU by spring.
Once the results of the study are evaluated, a determination as to the next steps will be made.
- Sean Bradley, Morning Sun