EPA to clean up underground storm sewer system in Michigan

(UI) – This week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized its plan to complete the cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the storm sewer system at the Ten-Mile Drain Superfund site at the intersection of Bon Brae Street and Harper Avenue in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.

The system is 15-feet underground and discharges into the Lange and Revere Street Canals, which connect to Lake St. Clair. The canals provide recreational boating access to Lake St. Clair for approximately 125 homes and are also used for swimming and fishing. The next step is the remedial design phase, when EPA will develop a detailed cleanup plan to implement the selected remedy.

EPA’s cleanup plan involves excavating and removing six manhole vaults and a 2,110-foot segment of concrete pipe along with stone bedding and backfill materials. This will prevent further release of PCBs through the storm sewer system to the sediments in the canals and protect utility workers from the risk of exposure to PCBs. A historical PCB release from a local parking lot is thought to have contaminated adjacent properties and the underground storm sewer system.

This summer, EPA will resume cleanup of PCB-contaminated soil at residential and commercial properties in St. Clair Shores (as outlined in an earlier, separate EPA cleanup plan). EPA completed cleanup at 37 residential properties and plans to clean up the remaining 23 residential and one commercial property in 2024. The residential cleanup is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and provided at no cost to homeowners and residents.

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