Representatives from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the City of Grand Island are planning an information session on June 23 to meet with the public and present information regarding groundwater issues in the east Grand Island area. The information session will be held at the Grand Island City Hall, 100 E. First Street.

The purpose of the information session will be to provide updated information concerning groundwater contamination attributed to past activities at the former Nebraska Solvents Site at 1200 Highway 30 East. Specific topics to be discussed will include the recent split sampling of private wells conducted by NDEQ staff in the eastern Hall County/ western Merrick County area and the draft Remedial Action Plan submitted by Union Pacific Railroad. A representative from DHHS will be available to answer health questions associated with exposure to contaminants in drinking water. Representatives from the City of Grand Island will also be available to discuss concerns with the proposed city water line extension to provide an alternate source of water to private residences in the area.

The structure of the information session will be informal to provide the public the opportunity to meet and ask questions of state and city representatives. During the open house portion of the session from 6 to 7 p.m., the public can meet individually or in small groups with state and city representatives. At 7 p.m., the updated information will be presented and additional questions will be addressed in a group setting. Another opportunity for individual and small group discussions will follow until 8:30 p.m.

More information regarding groundwater, soil, and private well water analyses in the area will be available at the reference desk at the Grand Island Public Library, 211 N. Washington St. Documents include a summary of UPRR’s work through August, 2008, the draft Remedial Action Plan, and NDEQ’s 2010 Split Sampling Report. Information is also available at NDEQ’s web site at https://dee.nebraska.gov/home, under the category “Topics of Interest.” The direct URL to view this information is: https://dee.nebraska.gov/former-nebraska-solvents-site-grand-island

Further information may be obtained from Laurie Brunner or Tom Buell at (402) 471-3388 or (877) 253-2603, or by contacting NDEQ at NDEQ.moreinfo@nebraska.go