Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane
Welcome To The CARD Site
The Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane (CARD) is a partnership of local governments and citizens that develops policies and strategies to address the problems caused by 1,4-dioxane released by Pall/Gelman. The groundwater contamination has expanded in Washtenaw County to an area over three miles long and one mile wide. The remediation of this site is likely to take an additional 20 years or more based on Pall Corporation and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality estimates.
CARD's activities will include actions related to permits, well installations, remediation technologies, effluent discard, contamination migration, pipe installation and maintenance and other appropriate measures.
Whats New: MDEQ Denies Pall/Gelman's (PLS's) Proposal
On 6-15-2009, MDEQ denied Pall/Gelman's (PLS's) 5-4-2009 proposal to reduce its dioxane groundwater cleanup activities and risk polluting more area water supplies... including Barton Pond where Ann Arbor gets 80% of its water.
[DEQ 6-15-2009 Response ] [DEQ Public Comment Response ]
Stay turned to make sure this decision is not overturned as it makes its way
through upcoming court hearings.
The MDEQ Powerpoint PDF from the May 27, 2009 Public Meeting is availabe for review. Please note the file is large.
Recent Events:
On May 4, 2009, PALL submitted the "Comprehensive Proposal to Modify
Cleanup Program" at the former Gelman site, now owned by PALL. The text of
the document is attached, see below. Here is a link to the complete document including maps and
tables.
Pall Corporation (PALL) and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
are required to adhere to the schdule contained in the April 22, 2009, Stipulated Order which
modified the previous April 6, 2009, Order.
While the Washtenaw County Circuit Court (Court) is not supporting the
public comment period that MDEQ requested, the MDEQ is making one available,
albeit much shorter (4 weeks).
A main concern is that PLS is interested in expanding the prohibition zone
to include the Evergreen area, eliminating the Consent Order requirement to
clean up to 85 there and instead allowing up to 2800 ppb of 1,4-dioxane to
migrate further downgradient.
Currently, there is very little geologic or hydrogeologic information to the
north of the "evergreen plume" (Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd area west of Maple rd
and east of M-14) and no demonstration that expanding the prohibition zone
toward Barton Pond will have no detrimental effects at Barton. Ann Arbor’s
drinking water comes from a combination of sources. Eighty-five percent is
drawn from the Huron River in Barton Pond. The remainder comes from
groundwater wells located on the south side of town.
The concern of those close to the issue is that the Court took the
Groundwater Surface Water Interface standard (2800ppb) and "dragged" it back
from the Huron River to Maple Road with very little information
demonstrating that the plume would head only to the east. It is unclear
whether the Court is willing (or MDEQ will be effective in arguing) to
"drag" the 34 ppb standard for a drinking water source back to the northern
boundary of the prohibition zone.
Key issues related to the the revised "global" remediaction strategy are the
current lack of demonstration that there is no northerly flow (toward Barton
Pond) prior to allowing this and what is the contingency plan if/when
something goes wrong. The current proposal by PALL does not include a
contingency plan.
Recent Events:
Two separate public informational meetings by CARD and the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality were held on:
- May 20, 2009, 7-9pm, WISD for the CARD information meeting
- May 27, 2009, 7-9pm, Haisley Elementary School for the MDEQ public meeting
Regular Meeting Reminder:
The next CARD - Coalition for Action on Remediation of
Dioxane meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at the
Washtenaw County Western Service Center from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
What: CARD -
Coalition for Action on Remediation of
Dioxane Meeting
When: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
Where: Washtenaw County Western Service Center 705 N. Zeeb Rd. - Ann
Arbor, MI Ann Arbor, MI
Click here for directions to the Western Service
Center
Questions or comments related to the PALL/Gelman Sciences cleanup can can be posted on the 1,4-dioxane Wiki Discussion Forum.
1,4-Dioxane Plumes and Assorted Well locations Map
Prepared March 2009
Subscribe to CARD News and Updates
Links to 1,4-Dioxane related information
We welcome your feedback and suggestions! For more information contact Michael Gebhard at 734-222-3855 or by email.
