E.P.A. completes 10-mile drain PCB containment liner; monitoring to continue

CHICAGO (Sept. 20, 2006) - E.P.A. Region five has completed installation of a synthetic liner designed to prevent PCB seepage into the 10-Mile Drain in Saint Clair Shores, Mich. The drain, nine to twelve feet below the street at the intersection of Bon Brae Street and Harper Avenue, leads downstream into the Lange and Revere Canals, which flow into Lake Saint Clair, and eventually into Lake Erie.

The $1.1 million project, overseen by a Grosse Ile, Mich.-based E.P.A. Superfund team, began in March and built upon a partnership among EPA, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Department of Community Health, Macomb Co. Public Works and the city of Saint Clair Shores. During an earlier (2002 - 2004) phase of the effort, E.P.A. performed an extensive $7 million cleanup of the canals. However, follow-up sampling of the drain and canals showed high levels of PCBs still present.

The engineered resin liner was sealed inside the drainage pipe using hot water. The liner keeps the PCBs outside the pipe so they do not migrate into other parts of the drainage system. In addition to the pipe, E.P.A. also removed PCB-contaminated soil from 9 yards or public easements along the system. Sidewalks, manholes and yards damaged during the construction plan have been repaired or replaced.

"The new liner was designed as a temporary solution that should work effectively for at least 15 years," said Regional Superfund Director Richard Karl. "In the interim, the city of Saint Clair Shores and the Macomb Co. Public Works office will monitor its performance quarterly and long-term strategies will be evaluated."

"St. Clair Shores officials and residents appreciate the efforts of E.P.A. and MDEQ during this phase of cleanup efforts," said Saint Clair Shores City Manager Ken Podolski.

Anthony V. Marrocco, Macomb Co. public works commissioner, lauded EPA, state agencies and city officials for their work on the PCB cleanup. "The job was carried out very efficiently," said Marrocco.

PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are a group of toxic chemicals that were widely used as coolants, insulators and lubricants. PCBs are of concern because they concentrate in the food chain resulting in health hazards to people, fish and wildlife. Congress banned the manufacture of PCBs in 1976 and those still in use are strictly regulated, but PCBs remain in the environment for many years.

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