EPA and Army Corps to start soil and groundwater clean-up July 29 in Charlevoix

This map showing the Charlevoix Municipal Well Superfund Site was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at a public meeting. The areas highlighted are potential source areas.
This map showing the Charlevoix Municipal Well Superfund Site was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at a public meeting. The areas highlighted are potential source areas.

CHARLEVOIX — Starting the week of July 29, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan on completing pilot testing to clean up soil and groundwater contamination left from a former tool and dye operations and a former laundromat in downtown Charlevoix.

According to a release from the EPA, area residents may notice construction workers and heavy equipment during the operations. Some noise and ground vibrations may be noticed by residents close to the worksites. However, all work will be conducted during normal business hours.

More: Toxic land: one family's story

Subscribe: Check out our offers and read the local news that matters to you

The EPA, Army Corps and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy will also host an open house from 5-7 p.m. on July 29 at the Charlevoix Public Library. At the event, representatives from the agencies will be available to talk with residents regarding the clean-up project.

More: Charlevoix soil, groundwater cleanup expected to begin in 2023

Over the last four decades, hazardous wastes have infiltrated Charlevoix’s land, creating the Charlevoix Municipal Well Superfund site. In spring of 2021, the EPA notified Charlevoix city officials that it would begin to actively remediate the situation the following September or October. The remediation has been ongoing since that time.

For more information, visit epa.gov/superfund/charlevoix-muni-wells.

— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 and adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: EPA and Army Corps to start soil and groundwater clean-up July 29 in Charlevoix