BY JILL TATGE-ROZELL
jrozell@kenoshanews.com

SILVER LAKE — The groundwater at Schmalfeldt Park is contaminated, and the village wants the state to require Kruzan Oil to mitigate the problem before it can close its bulk plant.

There is no well or drinking fountain at the park. But, if the plant is allowed to close without remediation, the park would be listed along with the plant on the Registry of Closed Remediation Sites through the state Department of Natural Resources.

“This is a huge concern,” said Village President Roger Johnson. “There is no problem with children being able to play in the park. It’s just a mess that creates a problem for future use of the park.”

For example, without complete remediation, the village would be required to follow expensive procedures and special regulations whenever projects are constructed in this area, Johnson said. Special well construction standards would have to be met to protect the water from residual contamination.

Village officials learned in early September from Jeff Kruzan, owner of Kruzan Oil, that he has requested the DNR grant him closure of the bulk plant at 110 Railroad St. with no further remediation. Instead, he contends the contamination will go away on its own through natural dilution.

In a letter to village officials dated Sept. 4, Kruzan indicated groundwater contamination that appears to have originated on the company’s property “has migrated” into Schmalfeldt Park.

“The level of benzene contamination in the groundwater on your property (Schmalfeldt Park) is above the state groundwater enforcement standards,” the letter reads. “However, the environmental consultants who have investigated this contaminiation have informed me this groundwater contaminant plume is stable and is in the process of receding and will naturally degrade over time.”

Village officials aren’t convinced. In a letter dated Dec. 30, 2008, from Kruzan’s environmental consultant, it is stated the contamination exists in the rights of way of South Railroad Street and East Wisconsin Street.

No mention was made of Schmalfeldt Park in 2008, said Johnson. Now, the park is also listed as being contaminated.

“We interpret that as meaning the problem is getting worse,” wrote Johnson in a letter to the DNR. “This is a serious concern of the village, and we strongly object to closure of this site without additional remediation.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, benzene is a natural part of crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke. Some industries also use benzene to make chemicals used to make plastics, resin, and nylon and synthetic fibers. It is also used to make some lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs and pesticides.

When benzene leaks from underground storage tanks or from hazardous waste sites containing benzene, it can contaminate well water.