View full sizeThis 2007 photo shows workers dredging of a 'dioxin hot spot' on the Tittabawassee River along the Dow Chemical plant in Midland.MIDLAND — The cleanup in the Tittabawassee River along Dow Chemical Co.’s Midland plant will start next year.
Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency and Dow signed an agreement requiring the chemical giant to clean the pollutants in a three-mile stretch of river called Segment 1.
This is the first of several segments in the EPA and Dow’s major cleanup along the river. Work done at sites and home properties this summer and in previous years was meant to keep residents from coming into contact with dioxins, furans and other chemical pollutants in the flood plain.
Diane Russell, remedial project manager, said the construction at Segment 1 will start in 2012.
The EPA organized Segment 1 into six management areas, to clean the different chemicals, which include chlorobenzenes and dense non-aqueous phase liquid, a heavy liquid that does not mix with water. Dioxin is not a problem contaminant at that site.
• Segment management area 1: Place a clean cap over contaminated sediment to isolate and stabilize it.
• Segment management areas 2 and 3: Remove and treat dense nonaqueous phase liquid. Isolate other contaminated sediment with sheet pile and a cap, and capture and treat water within the sediment
• Segment management areas 4 and 5: Place a clean cap over contaminated sediment.
• Segment management area 6: Dredge and dispose some contaminated sediment, remove and treat dense nonaqueous phase liquid, isolate remaining contaminated sediment with sheet pile and a cap, and capture and treat water within the sediment
The EPA conducted a public comment period to gain input from local residents.
Click here to read documents related to the cleanup.