Water and Wastewater Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: April 11, 2007 Robert McConkie, City Manager 989-681-2137

Victor Sher, Sher Leff LLP

415-348-8300

CITY OF ST. LOUIS MOVES TO PROTECT DRINKING WATER

The city of St. Louis moved to protect its water supplies today by filing a lawsuit against Velsicol Chemical Co. and related entities. The suit would hold those companies responsible for all costs associated with addressing contamination of the City’s wells by chemicals leaking from Velsicol’s former manufacturing plant in St. Louis.

The chemical p-CBSA, a byproduct of DDT manufacturing, has been found in extremely high concentrations in monitoring wells adjacent to the St. Louis, Michigan Superfund site formerly owned and operated by Velsicol Chemical. It has also been found, though in much lower concentrations, in several of the city’s drinking water wells.

“The EPA has assured us that our water is currently safe to drink, but it will cost many millions of dollars to make sure it stays that way,” explained Mayor George T. Kubin. “This lawsuit is a proactive measure designed to ensure that the residents of St. Louis will always have top quality drinking water.”

Although there is little literature on the public health impacts of p-CBSA, particularly over the long-term, it is well-established that p-CBSA travels through groundwater much more quickly than other dangerous chemicals like DDT, PCB, PBB and TCE that are known to be leaking from the Velsicol site. That means p-CBSA is like a canary in a coal mine: once it shows up, those other chemicals are likely to follow.

“The city’s first priority is making sure that St. Louis area residents have enough clean, safe water for their homes and businesses,” said City Manager Robert McConkie. “Velsicol and other related companies are responsible for contaminating and jeopardizing our water supply. They, and not the city or its residents, should pay to clean it up or find new water supplies.”

After discovery of p-CBSA in the city’s water supply in 2005, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality advised the city to investigate alternative sources. Based on this advice, the city has taken two wells offline that show higher concentrations of p-CSBA and has ramped up testing in all of its wells.

 

Recent water system improvements were the replacement of old sand cast undersize iron mains on sections of Wilson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue and system extensions on Cheesman Road and M-46. Construction of the well house and water transmission main for Well No. 8 was completed early in 2003.

 

The Water Development office is located at 401 East Prospect. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. You may also contact them during business hours at (989) 681-3567. The staff of the Water Department includes Paul Eldredge, Kip Krenz, and Superintendent Steven Mepham. Twenty four-hour emergency personnel are available by calling Gratiot County Central Dispatch at (989) 681-2211.

 

To view the 2007 Water Quality Report CLICK HERE.

The St. Louis Wastewater Plant is a $15,000,000.00 facility. Built originally in 1954, expansions in 1978-80 and again in 1998-2001 have improved treatment from simple primary treatment to the current, state of the art, Tertiary-biological-chemical-sand filtration plant. Designed to treat a maximum of 5.0 million gallons per day (MGD), the plant has a daily average design flow of 1.6 MGD. Currently the plant accepts wastewater from the City as well as two adjoining townships, Bethany and Pine River. Flows in 2001 averaged 1.065 MGD. Wastewater is pumped to the plant via five pump stations; two from the townships, two City and one which handles two of the Prisons.

The plant processes consist of screenings and grit removal, 12 RBC's (rotating biological contractors) for ammonia and BOD removal, secondary clarification and chemical phosphorus removal, chlorination and dechlorination (both chemical and pond detention), and lastly, continuous backwash air lift sand filtration. Three storage tanks allow storage of anaeobic digestion biosolids. Biosolids are stored prior to land application in the spring and fall months. Total storage volume is 780,000 gallons.

Since completion of construction ni 2001 treatment efficiencies of between 95-99% have been seen for all monitors parameters.

The staff of Don Rogers, Patrick McGillis, and Superindendent Steven Mepham can be reached during normal business hours. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Visit the plant at 404 E. Prospect or call 681-3567. Twenty-four hour emergency personnel may be reached by calling Gratiot County Central Dispatch at 681-2211. For collection system sewer problems, call 681-3644.

Water/Wastewater Superintendent

Phone: (989) 681-3567

Fax: (989) 681-5473

Email: stwwtp@hotmail.com