cleburn street well

NORTH FRONT STREET

The Cleburn Street well was once a drinking water source for the City of Grand Island. The municipal water system, serving 38,500 p eople, consists of 12 wells within city limits and 12 wells in the Platte River Island Well field southeast of the city. N ow disconnected from the municipal water supply, the Cleburn Street well was found to be contaminated with tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in 1986. Subsequent studies indicated PCE-contamination in the ground water and sub-surface soils. Results of EPA investigations indicate four separate areas of contamination: a former solvent company; and three dry cleaners who have used or stored PCE. Some 1,100 residents not served by the municipal water system draw water from shallow private wells. The Cleburn Street Well is located within 4 miles of food and forage crops irrigated by 333 wells.