Newton County Wells

Site Overview

Site Location

Newton County, Missouri

Site Description

The Newton County Wells TCE site was discovered in April 1991, during routine groundwater sampling of the area residential wells in the village of Silver Creek, Missouri, a community adjoining Joplin on the south. The results of the analyses indicated the presence of trichloroethylene (TCE) in several wells serving the residents of Silver Creek and Saginaw. In August 1991 the EPA signed an Action Memorandum, which initiated issuing bottled water to all residences with wells containing TCE concentrations near or above the maximum contaminant level of five parts per billion (ppb). By 1994, residents of Silver Creek and Saginaw were able to connect to a municipal drinking water system. Despite the opportunity to connect to a safe water supply, some residents are still obtaining water from wells that may be or could become contaminated with TCE.

Organization Requesting Assitance

Newton County Wells TCE Community Advisory Group

Beginning Date of Assistance

Summer 2000

Summary of TOSC Assistance

TOSC personnel provided information on TCE and its breakdown products. An oral presentation and handouts explaining what TCE is, how it moves through groundwater, and the potential health effects was delivered to a community meeting. TOSC also provided a summary of a proposed innovative cleanup technology for the site.

NOTE: The EPA TOSC and TOSNAC programs have ended. Communities seeking technical assistance should contact:

- Belinda Young in EPA Region 7’s office (for help in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, or Iowa) at 913-551-7463 and Young.Belinda@epa.gov;

- Briana Bill in EPA Region 5’s office (for help in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio) at 312-353-6646 and Bill.Briana@epa.gov; or

- Karen Martin at EPA Headquarters at 703-603-9925, Martin.Karenl@epa.gov; or

- EPA personnel identified at the bottom of the TOSC Information Contacts below:

TOSC Information Contact

Wendy Griswold
Center for Hazardous Substance Research
104 Ward Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-2502

Voice: 785.843.3659
Fax: 785.532.5985
E-mail: griswold@k-state.edu