29th and Grove Site
Updates
KDHE finalized the Corrective Action Decision (PDF), also known as CAD, for the 29th and Grove Site on February 2, 2023. The Final CAD identifies and describes the remedy selected for cleanup of the contamination and also documents public comments on the draft CAD and KDHE’s responses to the comments.
Cruiser Lake Testing Update – Due to citizen’s concerns about contamination in Cruiser Lake (also known as the K-96 Lake), KDHE collected samples of water and sediment from the lake in December 2022. The samples collected from the lake were tested for volatile organic compounds to determine whether the lake was impacted by the trichloroethene spill that occurred on the UP rail yard. The Preliminary Assessment Report indicates water and sediment samples from the lake did not contain trichloroethene; therefore, the lake has not been impacted by the trichloroethene spill. \
Summary
The 29th and Grove Site (Site) is located along the northern part of a Union Pacific Railroad (UP) rail yard south of the K-96 Highway, between Highway I-135 and Grove Street, in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas. Land use in the immediate vicinity of the northern rail yard consists of rail transportation, recreation, and military land-use categories. The K-96 Lake Park is located to the north of the railroad tracks. The Heartland Preparedness Center is located south of the railroad tracks. Land use farther to the south is primarily residential and commercial.
The contaminants of concern (COCs) are trichloroethene (TCE) and associated degradation compounds including 1,2-dichoroethene, 1,1-dichlorothene, and vinyl chloride. TCE is a solvent commonly used for metal degreasing. Contamination from the Site was first discovered during investigations conducted in advance of redevelopment of the 21st Street corridor between I-135 and Grove Street.
Find information and related documents about the investigation, risk assessment, and feasibility study at the bottom of the page.
Resources
Public Meeting Presentation & Comments
On September 8, 2022, we held a public meeting at the Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center about the plan to address contamination at the site. The public could also submit written comments on the draft Corrective Action Decision to us during the public meeting. View the following:
- Slide Presentation - 29th and Grove Public Meeting (PDF)
- Video Presentation - 29th and Grove Public Meeting
- Video - Public Comments 29th and Grove Public Meeting
A follow-up public meeting was held at the Boys and Girls Club on November 5, 2022. View the following.
Community Guides
The following resources have been provided to give information about the site and answer common questions.
- Information About the 29th & Grove Site (PDF) | Información sobre el Sitio de la 29 y Grove (PDF)
- 29th and Grove Site Answers to Common Questions | Respuestas a Preguntas Comunes Sobre el Sitio de la 29 y Grove (PDF)
The following resources have been provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help explain what the remediation process may look like and how communities may be impacted:
- Pump & Treat (PDF) | Bombeo y Tratamiento (PDF)
- Air Stripping (PDF) | La Separación por Aire (PDF)
- Granular Activated Carbon Treatment (PDF) | Tratamiento conCarbón Activado Granular (PDF)
- Bioremediation (PDF) | La Biorremediación (PDF)
- Excavation of Contaminated Waste (PDF) | La Excavación de Residuos
Contaminados (PDF) - Vapor Intrusion Mitigation (PDF) | La Mitigación
de la Intrusión de Vapores (PDF) - Trichloroethylene (TCE) FAQs | Tricloroetileno
More Information About 29th & Grove Site
Investigation
In 1999, KDHE and Union Pacific Rail Road (UP) executed an Interim Agreement for a Preliminary Investigation (PI) to evaluate whether a release of trichloroethylene (TCE) had occurred on the UP rail yard right-of-way. Detections of TCE in soil and groundwater at the rail yard confirmed a release had occurred on the rail yard property in the past. TCE is present in the soil at the rail yard at concentrations above the Tier 2 Risk-based Standards for Kansas (RSK) level of 84.2 micrograms per kilogram. TCE is present in groundwater at concentrations above the Tier 2 RSK level of 5 micrograms per liter.
In 2002, UP entered into a Consent Order with KDHE to conduct a Remedial Investigation to determine the nature and extent of contamination and a Feasibility Study to evaluate remedial alternatives that could be used for cleanup. The Remedial Investigation was completed in 2006 and determined the plume of contaminated groundwater extended from the UP rail yard to the south to Murdock Avenue.
Risk Assessment
A risk assessment determined the current and future effects of contaminants on human health and the environment if no cleanup action was taken. Results of the risk assessment indicated that exposure to contaminated soil at the UP rail yard does not present a significant health risk to workers or residents. There is some potential health risk to people who contact contaminated groundwater. Most of the risk was associated with ingestion of or dermal contact with contaminated groundwater. It should be noted that homes and businesses in and near the contaminated area have been provided with a safe drinking water supply and that current workers are not normally exposed to the contaminated groundwater. The risk assessment did not identify any significant ecological risk related to Chisholm Creek which runs south of the UP rail yard.
Interim Remedial Measures
Several interim remedial measures (IRMs) for soil and groundwater have been implemented to reduce the mass of contamination at the UP rail yard and shorten the time to achieve overall cleanup goals. The list of IRMs implemented at the source area in chronological order include: accelerated remediation technology wells, soil excavation, in-situ chemical oxidation, and enhanced reductive dechlorination (also known as bioremediation). In addition, an IRM to establish hydraulic control of the groundwater plume was implemented in 2009 by installation and operation of six groundwater extraction wells along Murdock Avenue, south of Murdock Park. The groundwater extraction system was installed to prevent the contaminated groundwater plume from continuing to spread in the subsurface.
Feasibility Study
A Feasibility Study that includes the evaluation of remedial alternatives that could be used for cleanup was completed in December 2020. The Feasibility Study also summarizes supplemental investigations and pilot testing conducted in support of the evaluation of remedial alternatives. After investigation of the contamination and evaluation of remedial alternatives, KDHE identified the following actions as the best way to protect the public health and the environment:
• At the source area, enhance the natural process of bioremediation of the contaminants by adding nutrients and other amendments to the soil and groundwater so that bacteria can degrade the contamination.
• At the source area, removing remaining shallow contaminated soil present under a concrete pad for a storage area.
• Pump contaminated groundwater to the surface and treat the water to remove contaminants. The water would be treated by air stripping technology and/or granular activated carbon technology. After contaminants are removed from the water, the treated water would be reinjected back into the subsurface and/or discharged to a nearby stream by permit.
• Establish an environmental use control to restrict the use of the rail yard where the release of TCE occurred to prevent exposure to contaminated soil and groundwater.
• Evaluate the performance of the remedy by monitoring groundwater and surface water.
• Prevent installation of new domestic-use wells in areas with groundwater contamination.
• Conduct periodic reviews of receptors and potential exposure pathways to ensure that the remedy remains protective of human health.
Related Documents
- Corrective Action Decision, February 2023 (pdf)
- Preliminary Assessment Report for Cruiser Lake, January 2023 (PDF)
- Feasibility Study – Source Area and Mid-Plume Area, part 1/6, December 3, 2020 (pdf)
- Feasibility Study – Source Area and Mid-Plume Area, part 2/6, December 3, 2020 (pdf)
- Feasibility Study – Source Area and Mid-Plume Area, part 3/6, December 3, 2020 (pdf)
- Feasibility Study – Source Area and Mid-Plume Area, part 4/6, December 3, 2020 (pdf)
- Feasibility Study – Source Area and Mid-Plume Area, part 5/6, December 3, 2020 (pdf)
- Feasibility Study – Source Area and Mid-Plume Area, part 6/6, December 3, 2020 (pdf)
- Revised Remedial Investigation Report part 1/11. June 16, 2006 (pdf)
- Revised Remedial Investigation Report part 2/11. June 16, 2006 (pdf)
- Revised Remedial Investigation Report part 3/11. June 16, 2006 (pdf)
- Revised Remedial Investigation Report part 4/11. June 16, 2006 (pdf)
- Revised Remedial Investigation Report part 5/11. June 16, 2006 (pdf)
- Revised Remedial Investigation Report part 6/11. June 16, 2006 (pdf)
- Revised Remedial Investigation Report part 7/11. June 16, 2006 (pdf)
- Revised Remedial Investigation Report part 8/11. June 16, 2006 (pdf)
- Revised Remedial Investigation Report part 9/11. June 16, 2006 (pdf)
- Revised Remedial Investigation Report part 10/11. June 16, 2006 (pdf)
- Revised Remedial Investigation Report part 11/11. June 16, 2006 (pdf)
- Consent Order, October 4, 2002 (pdf)
- 29th and Grove - Public Meeting Presentation (pdf)
- 29th and Grove Site PowerPoint for November 5th_FINAL_PH
- 29th Grove Common Questions FINAL (PDF)
- 29th Grove Common Questions_FINAL SPA (PDF)
- 29th Grove in Wichita Infographic FINAL (PDF)
- 29th Grove in Wichita Infographic_SPA (PDF)
Public Meeting Presentation Videos
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Mary Daily
Professional GeologistPhone: 785-296-8896