The Garvey Elevator Operable Unit (OU1) Alternate Water "RV003" site encompasses two residential properties located on South Technical Boulevard in Hastings, Nebraska. The site is located within the Garvey Elevator Superfund site. The Garvey Elevator Superfund Site is an active 8-million-bushel capacity grain storage facility located in Hastings. Garvey utilized a liquid mixture containing carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) as a grain fumigant from 1959 to 1985. Initial investigation of the contamination was conducted in 1994 and 1995, which identified an approximate 3-mile plume of CCl4 with concentrations as high as 29,943 micrograms per liter (μg/L). The Garvey Elevator Superfund site was listed on the EPA's National Priorities List (NPL) on Sept. 14, 2005.
In Dec. 2020, EPA Region 7 conducted a removal action providing in-home water filtration systems in the two adjacent properties described above. In Aug. 2025, EPA was notified that the homeowners' tap water tasted unusual. The Hastings Utilities Department sampled their well water in Aug. 2025. The analytical results, dated Aug. 18, identified CCl4 at a concentrations meeting or exceeding the maximum contaminant limit (MCL) for CCl4.
On Aug. 22, EPA Region 7mobilized to the the site and met with the homeowners. The earliest date on which EPA was able to procure replacement filter materials was on Aug. 27. The homeowners were offered bottled water until replacement filters were available - and those were installed on Aug. 27. EPA provided each homeowner with a two-year supply of replacement filters.
EPA also provided each homeowner with an Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Guide with illustrated step-by-step instructions to replace their drinking water filters twice per year. Samples were collected from pre- and post-filtration water supply lines at both residences on Aug. 27. Laboratory analytical results for the water samples were received by EPA on Aug. 29 which indicated that the replacement filters were effective as post-filtration sample results did not identify any detectable levels of CCl4 at either residence.
CCl4 concentrations in the water samples were below the contract laboratory's Method Detection Limit (MDL), which is lower than the MCL. No additional removal actions by EPA are anticipated at this time.
A Post-Removal Site Control (PRSC) Plan is in place which will be implemented by the Remedial Project Manager for the Garvey Elevator Superfund site to oversee maintenance of the drinking water treatment systems.
