CAMDENTON, Mo. — Toxic groundwater—the result of untreated discharge from half a century ago—is still causing problems in Camdenton, and the city has accepted terms from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as a result.
The former Hulett Lagoon Site in Camdenton, Missouri and the chemical trichloroethylene (TCE) was the subject of a closed-door session at the outset of Camdenton’s Board of Alderman meeting. During that meeting, the Alderman reviewed a DNR order to find a “permanent solution” for treating “groundwater contaminated by TCE” and “prevent the migration of TCE.” Later, in open session, the Board approved Bill 2617-16, an ordinance authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign DNR’s Administrative Settlement and Abatement Order.
The City is one of the named respondents responsible for conducting a Supplemental Remedial Investigation Feasibility Study (RI/FS):
“(a) to determine the nature and extent of contamination caused by the actual or threatened release of Hazardous Substances, pollutants or contaminants at or from the Former Hulett Lagoon Site, and/or the past or present handling, storage, treatment, transportation, or deposition of Respondents or their predecessors, of any solid wastes or Hazardous Substances at or from the Former Hulett Lagoon Site by conducting a remedial investigation;
(b) to identify and evaluate alternatives for remedial actions, if any, necessary to prevent, mitigate or otherwise respond to or remedy any release or threatened release of Hazardous Substances, pollutants or contaminants or solid wastes at or from the Former Hulett Lagoon Site by conducting a feasibility study; and
(c) to reimburse past and future response and oversight costs incurred by MDNR ….”
The history of the Hulett Lagoon site began in 1967, when untreated industrial and residential wastewater was discharged into the lagoon until the City closed it in 1989. When TCE was discovered as early as 1994, the City responded by “instituting a groundwater containment system” and discontinued the use of the Mulberry Well for municipal water. Contaminated groundwater was pumped from the well “and discharged … to waste through a ravine which eventually discharged to the Lake of the Ozarks.” Camdenton continues a groundwater containment system to prevent “the spread of groundwater contamination” to other city wells. Furthermore, “10,400 cubic yards of contaminated soil” were “excavated and disposed of … at an area landfill.”
Twenty-two monitoring wells were installed between 2000 and 2003. These indicate “shallow and deep groundwater contamination is limited to an approximate area of one (1) square mile.” In 2007, the number of monitoring wells increased to 25. The total number has contributed to a finding of “an imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health, welfare, or the environment within the meaning of Section 106 (a) of CERCLA [Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U. S. C. §§ 9601, et seq].”
DNR has announced a public meeting March 8 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Mid-County Fire Protection District building. The subject of the meeting, according to public notices, is to discuss residential air quality on Sunset Drive near the area where TCE was used and released.
