Disclaimer
Web content may not routinely be updated on this page. Please contact the Site Lead for the most up-to-date status of the site.
Content posted October 2021.
EGLE Site Lead
Pablo Mora, MoraP@Michigan.gov or 269-910-0136.
Background
Buckeye Niles Terminal (BNT) is located at 2303 South Third Street. In 2010, Shell Oil Products US reported a 19,000-gallon gasoline release at the site at the Tank #24 dike area. An April 2019 report showed the Niles Fire Department used a fire-retardant foam to help mitigate an explosive atmosphere at the site. Shell Oil and BNT performed response activities to address the gasoline contamination of site soils and groundwater but had not evaluated PFAS contaminants that may have been associated with the use of fire-retardant foam. In early 2021, an investigation found level of PFAS contaminants exceeding groundwater clean-up criteria.
The groundwater flow in the area is to the south/southwest. The nearest surface waterbody is the St. Joseph River a half mile west of the site.
Recent Accomplishments
- In the winter and spring of 2021, BNT collected 11 groundwater samples from on-site monitoring wells for PFAS.
- In June 2021, EGLE received the groundwater sampling results. Five samples exceeded groundwater clean-up criteria, the highest of which was 260 ppt for PFHxS compared to 51 ppt.
Next Steps
- BNT's contractor, Antea Group will be collecting samples of previously sampled monitoring wells for PFAS and will also include a few other wells to further assess PFAS contamination and its transport. Furthermore, Antea Group will install a deeper well to assess potential deeper contamination and delineate the PFAS plume vertically.
Residential Well/Alternate Water
- Niles Charter Township services most of the residents near the site. MDHHS determined there are approximately 14 residential wells in the area that need to be sampled. Buckeye has agreed to conduct the sampling and has provided a sampling plan to EGLE for review and comment.
Upcoming Community Engagement
- None scheduled at this time.
Sampling Results Summary
|
Type of Sample
|
Date Sampled
(or range)
|
Number of Sample
Results Received
|
Number of Samples
above Criteria*
|
Groundwater Monitoring
Wells |
January 27, 2021 - August 10, 2021 |
21 |
7 |
* Residential well and groundwater monitoring well results are compared to EGLE Part 201 criteria for 7 PFAS compounds effective 12/21/2020: PFOS (16 parts per trillion [ppt]), PFOA (8 ppt), PFNA (6 ppt), PFHxS (51 ppt), PFHxA (400,000 ppt), PFBS (420 ppt), and HFPO-DA (370 ppt).
Sampling Notes
- Some results were obtained from analysis of diluted samples and duplicates.
