June 28: USGS to Present Research at Upcoming PCE Groundwater Plume Informational Meeting

Potential contamination from dry cleaning operations at the VA Hospital in the 1970s have led the EPA and Veterans Administration to study and seek remediation for a PCE groundwater plume on the east bench in Salt Lake City.  The plume is located generally within the area bounded by 500 South and Michigan Avenue and between Guardsman Way and 1100 East.

The next meeting to hear updates on the PCE groundwater plume remediation effort is coming up! This meeting will include a special presentation by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on their analysis of the East Side Springs groundwater.

To read more about the history of this site, visit this page. To learn more about the current steps in the Superfund remediation process, click here.

What: Advocates for VA Groundwater Plume Resolution Meeting

When: Wednesday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Department of Veterans Affairs, Medical Center, 500 Foothill Drive Building 9, Salt Lake City, UT  84148

USGS hydrologist Sue Thiros analyzes groundwater flow data.

At the meeting, residents and interested parties will hear from hydrologist Sue Thiros from USGS, who will present information about her study of subterranean water in the Sunnyside Park area. The EPA has hired her for technical assistance in gathering data on Salt Lake City’s east side springs area.

Sue will show three-dimensional models of the subsurface water and will discuss the water level data that she has collected over time at the VA’s monitoring wells.  She has researched the USGS database for springs and used historical Salt Lake Valley publications to provide a better understanding of where the subsurface water flows.   She will also discuss the scientific methods used to date and trace water, as well as provide information about Red Butte Creek and its flow.

Do you live nearby? 

The USGS is looking for residents who have seeps and springs in their yards and would like to participate by contributing their observations of changes in water flow throughout the year.  This information would contribute to her study.

For more information, visit: http://pceplume-700s1600e.net/