Indian Refining/Texaco Superfund Site: Fact Sheet #8

              Indian Refining/Texaco Superfund Site
Fact Sheet #8
October 2002
Lawrenceville, Illinois
Background: During April and May 2000, SECOR, environmental consultant for Texaco, performed
various investigations of soil on residential properties to screen for refinery-related waste material. In a
joint effort, U.S. EPA, Illinois EPA, Texaco, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Lawrence
County Health Department performed a visual investigation of 158 residential properties. The focus of
this investigation was to look for any obvious tar-like, acidic waste material at the surface or suspicious
areas of strained vegetation and to choose soil sample points. At the same time, Illinois EPA and U.S.
EPA performed interviews with residents to learn whether property owners had ever noticed any of the
waste material on their properties. Finally, surface and deeper soil samples were taken for lab analysis.
Was waste material
found on any residential
properties?
Other than a couple of small areas along South Fourth Street that,
based on prior investigations, were known to contain some refinery-related
waste material, no new areas of this type of contamination
were found on private properties.
How many properties
were investigated?
The agencies interviewed owners of 141 properties, and visually
inspected a total of 158 properties. 103 soil borings were taken as well
as 14 surface soil samples.
What area was
investigated?
􀁺􇩴 the 15-block area in southeast Lawrenceville, north of the
refinery, which includes streets from Third Street west to
Thirteenth Street and from Hickory Street north to Christy.
􀁺􇩴 the area west of the refinery that includes an area along Eleventh
Street from Hickory south to Cherry.
􀁺􇩡 a third area just west of the refinery gate that includes several
blocks between Crackle and South Twelfth Street and continues to
13th Street
Will other residential
areas be investigated
later?
Since no new areas of contamination were uncovered on the 158
properties nearest the refinery border, U.S. EPA and Illinois EPA do not
believe that Texaco needs to look any further for the acidic, tar-like
waste material on residential properties at this time. However, based
on a recent site visit, U.S. EPA identified some material that may need
more investigation. That material is located along Hickory Street
between Third and Fourth Streets. Further investigation there would
not involve private properties at this time. In addition, if the remedial
investigation for the main site reveals new evidence for off-site
contamination, potentially responsible parties will be required to
evaluate the extent of the contamination and take appropriate action.
What are the results of
the lab analysis for the
soil samples submitted
during the April-May
investigation?
Samples that were submitted for two properties in the 1500 block of
Fourth Street showed that the waste material is consistent with the
material that was the focus of a cleanup action during 1996-1997.
Will someone perform
cleanup on those
properties where waste
material was found?
Yes. There will be a small cleanup on two properties in the 1500 block
of Fourth Street. Texaco expects to complete this remedial action
during fall 2000.
What about the material
that was dug up between
Yes, the material did continue past the point of the prior removal
excavation. Further work is required for that property. Discussions are
Fact Sheet #8 - Indian Acres Site, Indian Refining Company Page 1 of 2
http://www.epa.state.il.us/community-relations/fact-sheets/indian-refining/indian-acres-8.h... 5/18/2012