EPA v. LAPWAI SCHOOL DISTRICT DRYWELL SITE (UAO)

Case summary

A drywell located at the Lapwai School District bus barn has received waste from school bus maintenance for years. Results from sampling soil in the drywell show elevated concentrations in the well of chlorinated solvents including tetrachloroethylene at 22.5 milligrams/kilogram (mg/Kg), trichloroethylene at168 mg/Kg, as well as lead at 1,840 mg/Kg. On the same property within approximately 150 feet of the contaminated dry well is one of two public drinking water supply well installed and operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The BIA wells supply drinking water for approximately 300 people in Lapwai, including the Lapwai Elementary School that is adjacent to the school district bus maintenance facility. The BIA wells were most recently sampled for volatile organic compounds (VOC) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC), including the contaminants found in the drywell, in 2010. As of that time the BIA wells, including the one closest to the contaminated drywell, did not indicate of any contamination that might be associated with the contaminated drywell. EPA is issuing a UAO to the school district requiring a removal action to be conducted.

Defendants (1)

• LAPWAI SCHOOL DISTRICTNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• LAPWAI SCHOOL DISTRICT DRYWELL SITE

  271 B ST, LAPWAI, ID, 83540

  Registry ID: 110054629247

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 107A — Cost Recovery
• CERCLA 122A — Agreement to Perform Work Under 104B
• CERCLA 104E2 — Information and/or Access
• CERCLA 106A — Imminent & Substantial Endangerment Order

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• LAPWAI SCHOOL DISTRICT DRYWELL SITE (UAO)entered 2013-01-16

  Primary law: CERCLA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2013-01-16Final Order Issued
• 2013-01-18Enforcement Action Data Entered