Ford/Kingsford Products Site

Interim Response Activities

The DEQ continues involvement with the Ford/Kingsford Products site in Kingsford, Michigan. This web site was designed as an information source for the public in addition to public meetings and informational bulletins published by the DEQ.

Investigation of the extent of contamination has been ongoing at the Ford/Kingsford Products site. The depth of contaminated groundwater, groundwater flow rate, site geology, and the concentrations of contamination have been identified through the ongoing work that was initiated in 1996. Pockets of methane have also been located. Interim response actions that address groundwater contamination and sources of contamination are underway.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) and the Kingsford Products Company (KPC) predecessor placed waste in disposal areas that resulted in soil and groundwater contamination in the designated Area of Concern (AOC).

Area of Concern

As a result, the companies have an obligation to clean up, or remediate, the contamination in accordance with the State of Michigan's environmental laws (see Glossary link at bottom). These remediation activities include controlling the discharge of contaminated groundwater to the Menominee River by collecting and treating contaminated groundwater, alleviating direct contact hazards associated with the disposal areas and former plant site, and identifying and diminishing any potential explosive hazards from methane within the AOC.

Methane Gas

Accumulations of gas phase methane have been identified at eight locations in the AOC. These areas are being mitigated by passive and/or active Soil Vapor Extraction Systems (see Glossary link at bottom). The methane is primarily generated from the decomposition of organic (containing carbon) chemicals present in groundwater and/or organic material present in the waste disposal areas. Ford and KPC are required to mitigate unacceptable risks posed by methane gas and have implemented or propose to implement response actions.

Shed housing components of a soil vapor extraction system

Vent for methane in the subsurface

Groundwater Impacts on Surface Water

Contaminated groundwater is currently discharging into the Menominee River along roughly a ¼ mile stretch. Along with venting groundwater, methane "boils" are visible along several areas of the Menominee River. Any un-permitted discharge of contaminated groundwater to the river is prohibited by State Law. Ford and KPC are required to take appropriate remedial actions to prevent further discharges.

Samples of groundwater collected for toxicity testing

Visible "boils"

Former Waste Disposal Areas

Riverside Dump Area

This area is a relatively undeveloped area on the south side of Pyle Drive. The buried waste materials contain arsenic and lead at concentrations exceeding Residential Direct Contact Criteria (RDCC, see Glossary link at bottom). Ford and KPC are required to mitigate unacceptable risks from all direct contact hazards associated with this area and have implemented or propose to implement response actions to prevent RDCC hazards.

Riverside dump area (Winter 2000)

Riverside dump area after response action

Southwest Pit (Lodal Park)

This area is located at Lodal Park's north end. The buried waste materials contain arsenic and lead exceeding RDCC. Methane gas is also present in the waste materials and in shallow soil surrounding the Southwest Pit. Ford and KPC are required to mitigate unacceptable risks from all direct contact hazards associated with hazardous substances in this area and have implemented or propose to implement response actions to prevent RDCC and methane hazards.

Northeast Pit (Balsam Street)

This area is located on the west side of Balsam Street between Dickinson Homes and Carter Street. The Northeast Pit is the most heavily contaminated of the disposal areas. Tar seeps to the ground surface at several points in this area. Buried waste materials contain a variety of organic (containing carbon) and inorganic hazardous substances. Methane also appears to be present in the waste materials and in the shallow soil surrounding the Northeast Pit. Ford and KPC are required to alleviate the risks posed by direct contact hazards, risks to groundwater from soil contamination, and risks posed by methane. Ford and KPC have proposed response actions to address the risks in this area.

Tar seep in the Northeast Pit

Breen Street Dump

This area is located at the west end of Breen Street. Waste materials are somewhat visible in the soil along the western and southern edges of the former disposal area. The waste materials appear to be covered with sand fill, but the thickness of the fill is unknown. Methane gas also appears to be present along the southeast boundary of the Breen Street Dump. Ford and KPC are required to evaluate the condition at the Breen Street Dump and mitigate any unacceptable risks posed by the Breen Street Dump.