DES MOINES, Iowa — The Environmental Protection Agency is pushing ahead with efforts to clean up Des Moines’ ground water, listing it on their Superfund National Priorities List.
Back in the early 2000s, Iowa DNR discovered the contaminated site, called Lot 46, while doing routine sample work. Investigations led by the DNR began in 2004, and the site was later referred to the Environmental Protection Agency in 2020 for federal assistance.
"DNR determined that there was ground water contamination south of Water Works Park several years ago," Ted Corrigan, CEO of Des Moines Water Works, told Local 5 back in June. "So we've been aware for some time that they've been trying to understand the scope, the scale."
The name Lot 46 might not sound familiar. From afar, it's just a large industrial area in Des Moines, off of Fleur Drive and across from Gray's Lake.
Lot 46 Valley Gardens TCE was the name given to the contaminated site by the EPA.
"It’s important to note that the addition of Lot 46 Valley Gardens TCE to the National Priorities List ensures that federal resources will be available to fund the cleanup project," the EPA said in a statement to Local 5.
Listing the site on the NPL will also ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to fund the clean-up costs, given how expensive the project is.
Part of the EPA's process has also been working to find the "potentially responsible parties" that are liable for the initial contamination.
"We're pleased the EPA has listed it, we're pleased that they're here, and they are going to take care of this site and clean it up," Corrigan told Local 5.
Des Moines Water Works wants residents to know that, currently, drinking water is completely safe and meets the standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Association.
This plan of action is intended to ensure protection of human health and make sure that the water isn't ever impacted by those toxic chemicals.
"Most people understand that this is a proactive action to keep there from being a problem, and that's what we want," Corrigan said. "Take care of the water before it becomes a problem."