Assessment on proposed fire station site reveals no contamination hazards, eases safety concerns
ELKHART, Ind. -- Elkhart city leaders are putting some contamination concerns to rest.
The city is wanting to build a new fire station near the Lane Street Groundwater Superfund site, an area the EPA has labeled as hazardous to humans and the environment.
The issue was brought up at Monday night's city council meeting, and on Tuesday, ABC57 is learning it might not actually be an issue.
ABC57 obtained a copy of the Phase One environmental report done by Herron Environmental LLC in March of 2023, before the city purchased the property for the new fire station.
After testing the site, they found no hazardous substances and no evidence of a potential vapor exposure.
The Lane Street Superfund that is just a half block away from the site is still active, but according to the report, that has not contaminated the land where they want to build Fire Station 6.
"There is an EPA superfund site nearby there but the water, the groundwater flows south and west away from the location, and they weren't worried about any contaminants in the ground going towards Fire Station 6," says Alex Otto, Director of Communications for the city of Elkhart.
Alex Otto with the city of Elkhart says it's commonplace to conduct environmental assessments on sites they are looking to purchase for development.
Because no hazardous substances or evidence of vapor exposure were found, environmental professionals told the city there was no need to test the site any further.
"Should they find anything that makes them think we would need to proceed, they would reflect that in their recommendation to proceed on with a phase 2," explains Otto. "That was not their recommendation. They said there was no issues and no reason for concern with that site."
They say the phase one assessment, which is a non-invasive testing of the ground, is appropriate for the design of the project.
"That fire station is going to be built at ground level. There will be very minimal disruption to the soil if any at all," Otto says.
The EPA saying Tuesday, although the Lane Street Superfund site has not yet been cleaned, previous vapor intrusion studies have not shown any potential pathways into nearby residences or industrial buildings.
The EPA adds that pilot studies will begin in late summer or early fall of this year to design the best clean up system at the Lane Street Superfund.
"Any time IDEM or the EPA is involved in something like that, you know it's in the right hands," Otto assures.
ABC57 spoke with Councilman David Henke again Tuesday, he's the one that brought up the contamination concerns at last night's meeting. He says he was not aware of the assessment.