EPA sets public presentation on contaminated Franklin Street Superfund Site

Community members will soon have an opportunity to learn more about the ongoing investigation into local groundwater contamination as federal environmental officials prepare to visit Spencer.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has scheduled a public meeting and presentation regarding the Franklin Street Groundwater Superfund Site. The site was designated to address local groundwater contamination stemming from Tetrachloroethene (PCE), a chemical compound historically and widely used across industries for dry-cleaning and degreasing, which was first detected in local drinking water samples about a decade ago. While the BBP Water Corporation previously implemented mitigation measures to ensure safe drinking water processed through its facilities, the official Superfund designation has opened the door to dedicated federal resources focused on locating and remediating the precise sources and underground concentrations of PCE.

Since releasing its Community Involvement Plan in January 2024, developed with input from residents, the EPA and its contractors have been conducting groundwater, soil, and sewer water testing along public rights-of-way throughout Spencer. Agency officials are now finalizing a Remedial Investigation (RI) report. The upcoming report will deliver a comprehensive analysis of groundwater and vapor intrusion data collected since 2023, while defining the full extent and nature of the contamination. Following the RI report, the agency will launch a Feasibility Study to analyze potential cleanup and remediation options for the community.

The public meeting will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., in Spencer. Agency representatives will present the latest findings on soil, groundwater, and vapor intrusion sampling, as well as outline the next steps in the investigation process.

Residents who have questions or require special accommodations are encouraged to contact Ruth Muhtsun, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, by phone at 312-886-6595 or via email at muhtsun.ruth@epa.gov. Complete project documentation, resources, and contact information remain accessible on the EPA's project website.