During the second week of June 2009, Illinois EPAs Office of Site Evaluation performed initial sampling of soil and shallow groundwater around Playfield Cleaners, a suspected potential source of groundwater contamination in the tainting of the Crestwood PWS Well #1, and between the Playfield property and the now sealed well. The purpose of the initial investigation was to examine and define the extent of contamination and its potential effects on the general public. Results of this sampling indicate that there is no current potential for human exposure to the contamination detected and consequently no health threat to the residents of Crestwood. However, additional investigation will be needed to attempt to determine the source and responsibility for the contamination of Crestwood PWS Well #1.
During the spring of 2001, the Illinois EPA began a groundwater investigation just east of I-355 near Downers Grove. This investigation is in response to citizen concerns related to recent private well sampling in neighboring Lisle. Results of a few samples in Downers Grove in May showed some solvent contamination in scattered wells. Consequently, Illinois EPA decided to initiate a separate investigation in Downers Grove to identify contaminated wells and potential sources. The site map referenced in the fact sheet will be included in a separate pdf attachment.
Illinois EPA has scheduled the first controlled prairie burn at the former Prior-Blackwell Landfill site for April 2007. The specific date of the event will depend on weather conditions. The site is located on Perrine Avenue south of Centralia. The controlled burn is necessary to eliminate accumulated dead vegetation and to stimulate new growth and diversity in the plant life. It will also eliminate invasive plant species, which have more shallow root systems than the mix of prairie plants on the landfill cap.
Both Illinois EPA and U.S. EPA have been actively investigating since last fall the source of the contamination in the groundwater. Illinois EPA made door-to-door interviews and inspections of businesses located in or near the Ellsworth Industrial Park. Both Illinois EPA and U.S. EPA mailed requests for information to businesses that have used solvents for their processes, and U.S. EPA obtained access to private property in the industrial park.Recently, during the Phase II investigation work, Illinois EPA and U.S. EPA completed installation of 42 monitoring wells for groundwater evaluation within the Ellsworth Industrial Park, collected approximately 150 soil samples and 80 groundwater samples. A map of the sampling area will be included in a separate pdf attachment.
During the spring of 2001, the Illinois EPA began a groundwater investigation just east of I-355 near Downers Grove. This investigation is in response to citizen concerns related to recent private well sampling in neighboring Lisle. Results of a few samples in Downers Grove in May showed some solvent contamination in scattered wells. Consequently, Illinois EPA decided to initiate a separate investigation in Downers Grove to identify contaminated wells and potential sources. The area map referenced in the fact sheet will be included in a separate pdf attachment.
The Chicago Heights Refuse Depot Landfill (Depot) operated as a municipal landfill from June 1978 until May 1988. The site is 29 acres in size with an approximate height of 50 feet above ground level. The site is bordered to the east and south by two other municipal landfills. (See map below) To the north, there is an iron scrap yard and railroad tracks, with residential homes along East 26th Street. The west is bordered by businesses along East End Avenue, beyond which are railroad lines and light industrial buildings. The printable map referenced in the fact sheet will be included in a separate pdf attachment.
The Illinois EPA believes that a manufacturer of animal feeds (Double S Liquid Feed Service, Inc.) discharged molasses and fatty acids into a ditch along the CSX railroad line. These materials are delivered to the Double S facility by rail. After being spilled they were washed by rainwater into the ditches where they began to and now continue to decompose. That decomposition process, though not directly harmful to human health, does produce a very foul odor. Violation notices issued by IEPA will be included as separate pdf attachments.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announces that construction is scheduled to begin Monday, May 7th on US 150 in Woodford County, just east of IL 117 in Goodfield.
This 33-acre site, which is adjacent to the Canton downtown business district, was the location of industrial facilities which operated as foundries, manufacturers of farm implements and other processes. In recent years, it was the site of a large tire shredding and recycling operation. International Harvester owned and operated the site from 1919 until 1983. Canton Industrial Corporation (CIC), later known as Cyber America, operated at the site from 1984 until 1994 and ran the tire recycling operation. In 1991, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) cited CIC for violations relating to improper storage of drummed wastes and failure to implement a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act closure plan at the site. During 1995 and 1996, the Illinois EPA was involved in a large cleanup of tires at the site.