The
580-acre Lockwood Solvent Ground Water Plume site is located on the outskirts
of Billings in Yellowstone County, Montana. In 1986, Lockwood Water and Sewer
District personnel discovered benzene and chlorinated solvents in their water
supply wells. Subsequent investigations found a plume of groundwater
contamination.
Work at the facility manufactured and repaired tanker truck trailers primarily
to transport asphalt. From 1978 to 1990, trailers were cleaned with industrial
solvents and steam prior to maintenance or repair. The wastewater from the
steam clean bay was discharged to a septic system and drain field.
Another section of the site was used for chemical repackaging and distribution. Under previous owners, the property was developed and operations began
in 1972. The facility is currently abandoned with no future use anticipated
until cleanup is completed.
In
December of 2000, the site was listed on the National Priorities List and has
been undergoing Remedial Action to address the groundwater plume contamination
ever since. In 2023, the contractor operating the site for EPA’s Remedial Team
went into bankruptcy. EPA Remedial asked for EPA Removal’s assistance in
closing the site and winterizing the property before winter 2024.
In October 2023, the EPA Removal Team marked this site as an Emergency Response requiring attention before the winter season in order to avoid the potential for contaminants to spread off-site, remedial equipment to be preserved for long term storage, and for safety hazards around the site to be mitigated against any trespassers or visitors during the current shut-down phase.
On November 1, 2023 the EPA Removal team mobilized to the site and began work on the 2nd. By the end of the day on Tuesday, November 14 the site was secured and stabilized for temporary closure during the winter months. All remaining crew members were demobilized and remaining equipment was taken off site by the end of the same day.
This emergency response action has concluded. Please see EPA Region 8 Remedial's Superfund website for further information and updates on site activities in the future here: https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0801709
