EPA v. ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL WHEEL & TRIM SUPERFUND SITE - GRENADA, MS - MERITOR, INC.

Case summary

AUGUST 31, 2022 - ADMINISTRATIVE SETTLEMENTAGREEMENT CONSENT FOR REMOVAL ACTION In 2018, Respondent approached EPA and proposed an early action to minimize the migration of contaminated groundwater at the Operating Facility with the ancillary benefit of minimizing the migration of contaminated groundwater surrounding the Operating Facility. On April 23, 2019, EPA and Respondent entered into the EE/CA ASAOC under which Respondent agreed to conduct an EE/CA at the Site in accordance with EPA guidance to evaluate potential early action alternatives for groundwater at the Operating Facility with the ancillary benefit of also minimizing migration of the contaminated groundwater surrounding the Operating Facility and to submit the findings in an EE/CA Report to EPA. In accordance with the EE/CA ASAOC, in August 2019, Respondent designed, constructed, and began operating a groundwater extraction system with one extraction well as a pilot study to pump and treat the groundwater (?Pilot Well System?), while measuring groundwater flow and contaminant concentrations to inform the EE/CA. Respondent began operating the Pilot Well System in early September 2020 and it remains in operation in accordance with the terms of the EE/CA ASAOC. Respondent's operation of the Pilot Well System, among other activities, provided Respondent with information needed to propose removal alternatives to minimize the migration of groundwater at the Operating Facility with the ancillary benefit of also minimizing migration of the contaminated groundwater surrounding the Operating Facility. In the EE/CA Report, Respondent ultimately recommended continued operation of the groundwater extraction and treatment system and expanding the Pilot Well System from one extraction well to three, which would increase the system's ability to expedite the cleanup of the groundwater contamination in the Study Area. The streamlined risk evaluation in the EE/CA Report concluded that the groundwater in the Study Area currently poses no health threats to the public. The groundwater is not used for any purpose. The vapor intrusion pathway to indoor air is incomplete throughout the Study Area, and Respondent is operating the SSDS in the Building pursuant to the SSDS ASAOC, which addresses the indoor air pathway. Even though groundwater in the study Area is not currently in use, pursuant to 40 C.F.R. 300.400(g) (Identification of applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements) and State of MissIssippi regulations, the groundwater must be cleaned to meet drinking water standards, under the assumption that the groundwater could be used as a future drinking water source. In August 2021, EPA approved the EE/CA Report, which was released for public review and comment on October 4, 2021, and a Public Meeting was held on October 19, 2021.Based upon the EE/CA Report and after consideration of the public comments, EPA documented the selection of the groundwater removal action for the Site in an Action Memorandum, dated August 30, 2022.

Defendants (2)

• MERITOR, INC.Named in settlement
• ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL WHEEL & TRIMNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL WHEEL & TRIM

  HWY 332 E, GRENADA, MS, 38901

  Registry ID: 110070058399

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 107A — Cost Recovery
• CERCLA 106A — Imminent & Substantial Endangerment Order

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL WHEEL & TRIM SUPERFUND SITE - GRENADA, MS - MERITOR, INC.entered 2022-08-31

  Primary law: CERCLA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2022-08-31Final Order Issued
• 2022-09-15Enforcement Action Data Entered