Ohio EPA Details Plans for Reading Superfund Site

The Ohio EPA on August 4 announced its choice of a Natural Resource Restoration Plan (NRRP) for the Pristine Superfund site in Reading. The agency said it combines two proposals from the City of Reading. Both projects relate to abandonment of Reading's well field due to contamination by Pristine activity.

One project involves connecting the City of Reading's water supply with the Cincinnati Water Works. The other involves soil removal and utilization restrictions to permit use of the former industrial (Brownfield) site as a park.

In 1974, Pristine Inc. began operating a liquid-waste-disposal facility adjacent to the City of Reading's well field. According to the Ohio EPA, the company received acids, organic solvents, and waste products that for treatment by incineration or acid neutralization and disposal at the site. In 1979, Ohio EPA found 8000 to 10,000 drums and 13 bulk storage tanks containing a variety of hazardous substances that had contaminated the soil and groundwater. State enforcement actions closed Pristine in 1981. The site was added to the National Priorities List in 1982 for cleanup under the federal Superfund program.

This final action on the NRRP may be appealed by August 27, 1998. The selected plan, including a responsiveness summary, is available at the Cincinnati Public Library, Main Branch, Government and Business Department, 800 Vine Street, Library Square, Cincinnati Ohio 45202. It can also be viewed at the Cincinnati Public Library, Valley Branch, 301 West Benson Street, Reading, Ohio 45215.