June 2, 2005

The Department of Environmental Quality has authorized $330,000 to install and operate treatment systems to remove the risk of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) contamination in the soil and groundwater that exists in the village of Mancelona in Antrim County.

“The DEQ is taking the steps necessary to ensure that the residents of Mancelona are not put at risk,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “Addressing the PCE contamination will ensure that the environmental and economic well being of the village is protected.”

The site is the location of a former dry cleaner that used cleaning solvents containing PCE which now pose a variety of hazards there. An investigation has identified PCE in the soil and groundwater at levels exceeding drinking water and surface water criteria, and indoor air samples of residences have also detected PCE exceeding acceptable indoor air concentrations.

The contamination is also in close proximity to a municipal water well; however tests have not shown PCE levels exceeding drinking water criteria there. The village has other water wells that will be placed into production if those levels do rise.

The DEQ will install soil vapor extraction and groundwater sparge systems and will operate the systems until the contaminant concentrations are significantly reduced and the municipal well and indoor air quality are no longer at risk. As an interim response to protect the public health of area residents, the DEQ has installed mechanical carbon air filters in homes to reduce contaminant concentrations.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised June 2, 2005 by Pat Watson