Headley Cleaners, Downs, Kansas

State Coalition for Remediation of Drycleaners Site Profiles

Description
Historical activity that resulted in contamination.

Public Water Supply (PWS) sampling in 1986 showed tetrachloroethylene(PCE) above the EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) in one PWS well. The PWS well was then shut down. In 1991 another PWS well was found to be contaminated with PCE and PCE degradation products, it was also shut down. Investigations led to the source at the Headley Cleaners site. The former Headley Cleaners was located at the site from 1973 to 1979. Prior to 1973 the cleaners was located on the lot directly to the north from 1946 to 1973. Headley Cleaners utilized Stoddard solvent (petroleum hydrocarbon based) from 1946 until the mid-60s, before switching to PCE. The source was excavated. When other problem's arose with nitrates in other PWS wells a system was put in place to treat the water before it goes to public distribution and one of the initial wells which indicated PCE contamination was put back into service.

Remediation Status: In active remediation

Contaminants
Contaminants present and the highest amount detected in both soil and groundwater.

Contaminant	Media	Concentration (ppb)	Nondetect
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene	groundwater
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene	soil
Tetrachloroethene (PCE)	groundwater
Tetrachloroethene (PCE)	soil
Trichloroethene (TCE)	groundwater
Trichloroethene (TCE)	soil

Site Hydrology

Deepest Significant Groundwater Contamination:
Plume Size:
Average Depth to Groundwater:		23ft

Lithology and Subsurface Geology

		Interbedded silt and clay underlain by sand and gravel Conductivity: 348ft/day Gradient: 0.01ft/ft
		shale bedrock
		micritic limestone

Pathways and DNAPL Presence

Groundwater

Sediments

Soil

DNAPL Present

Vapor Intrusion Pathway

Has the potential for vapor intrusion (VI) been evaluated?		No
Has a vapor mitigation system been installed?		No

Remediation Scenario

Cleanup Goals:		Safe drinking water for the public water supply. PCE non-detect in drinking water.
Remedy Level:		Full Scale Remedy

Technologies

Ex Situ Carbon Adsorption

Why the technology was selected:
SVE and AS are not feasible at this site due to the geology. Excavation was selected to remediate portions of the source and a GAC system was put in place to ensure a clean public water supply.

Date implemented:
GAC system online January 2006.

Final remediation design:
Groundwater: A granular activated carbon (GAC) system has two 10 ft. diameter skid-mounted 20,000 pound capacity vessels placed in series. Service flow rate of 315 gpm. Each vessel is loaded to capacity with F-300 virgin 8X30 carbon. There are sampling ports in the piping for influent, mid-fluent, and effluent sampling. The system was placed next to the city's centralized water treatment system.

Results to date:
During excavation approximately 1,546 cubic yards of impacted soil were removed from the site and landfilled. The GAC system continues to operate effectively and has treated over 110 million gallons.

Next Steps:
Continued groundwater monitoring with system O&M and groundwater monitoring.

Cost to Design and Implement:
$411,281.43 for GAC system

Ex Situ Soil Removal

Date implemented:
Excavation September-October 2001

Final remediation design:
Soil: The dilapidated building was torn down and "hot spots" were excavated under the former building and along the sewer line in the alley behind the former building. Not all contamination was removed due to the nearby buildings and utilities.

Next Steps:
Continued groundwater monitoring with system O&M and groundwater monitoring.

Cost to Design and Implement:
$197,047.25 for soil excavation $411,281.43 for GAC system

Costs

Cost for Assessment:		$50,403.70
Cost for Operation and Maintenance:		$15,000-$18,000 per year
Total Costs for Cleanup:

Lessons Learned

Closer oversight during the excavation activities would likely have led to additional contaminant mass removal.

A good working relationship with the City of Downs has reduced O&M costs associated with the GAC system. The City currently conducts routine O&M of the system.