Contaminated Site on Old Hwy 275 and N 288th Street, Valley, Nebraska - Information Sheet, October 2021
The Old Hwy 275 and N 288th Street Superfund Site in Valley, Nebraska, has been a focus of attention for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since 2019. The site, which is currently undergoing a Remedial Investigation, has been a concern due to the presence of trichloroethylene (TCE), a contaminant of concern that is commonly found at Superfund sites.
In 2019, the EPA installed several permanent and temporary monitoring wells, continued to sample existing wells, and collected samples from indoor air in properties over contaminated groundwater, lakes, ditches, and sediment at the site. Since then, the agency has continued detailed site investigations and data collection to assess contamination and risks, moving toward planning remedial actions.
TCE is an organic chemical compound that evaporates under normal indoor temperatures and pressure. It is part of some industrial and commercial processes, including those in dry cleaning facilities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has online summaries about contaminants, called ToxFAQs, where you can find more information about TCE.
The EPA is gathering data to characterise site conditions, determine the nature of the waste, assess risk to human health and the environment, and conduct treatability testing. EPA will be collecting water samples routinely in the area over the next several years to determine the full extent of the contamination near the site.
Properties with private wells where contaminants were detected at the site have been connected to the city of Valley's public water supply or have whole-house filtration systems installed. The local community has the ability to access EPA's online repository for the Old Hwy 275 and N 288th Street Superfund Site. Information repositories for the site, including the Site Profile Page for cleanup documents, are available on EPA's website.
Community members without internet access can view cleanup documents at the Valley Public Library. Toll-free numbers are available for both Isabel Villaneda-Van Vloten, the Remedial Project Manager, and Pamela Houston, the Community Involvement Coordinator, for those who prefer to call. Their contact information can be found at the provided email addresses.
The EPA provides additional assistance to communities through the Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program, Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) program, and Community Advisory Group (CAG) formation support. For more information about the resources available to communities, visit EPA's website.
It is important to note that the operational status of the Valley Public Library may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, so it's recommended to call for confirmation before visiting.
For those who wish to reach out directly to EPA's Region 7 offices in Lenexa, KS, contact information is provided. The EPA remains committed to addressing the contamination at the Old Hwy 275 and N 288th Street Superfund Site and working with the community to ensure a safe and healthy environment.
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