Since 2001, Whirlpool has been working in conjunction with the ADEQ on issues related to TCE at the former Whirlpool manufacturing facility.
ADEQ has determined there are no complete pathways to exposure and thus no health risk to area residents. Due to the depth of groundwater, clay soil types in the area, and the fact that there are no groundwater drinking wells in the area, there are currently no complete exposure pathways that would create a risk to human health. Additionally, deed restrictions have been put in place to prohibit the installation of wells in the future.
On December 27, 2013, ADEQ issued a Remedial Action Decision Document – or RADD – laying out the science-based remediation plan Whirlpool has been following to attack and remove TCE from the groundwater under and near the former Whirlpool manufacturing facility. A Revised RADD, dated November 15, 2015, was approved by ADEQ following extensive testing, research, and a review of public comments that determined the most effective method for addressing the TCE in the groundwater.
Whirlpool has followed a science-driven, Adaptive Remedy process – which involves the constant gathering, analyzing and validating, of data to confirm and update the understanding of the groundwater and soil contamination on and near the former Whirlpool facility – to complete a number of required and supplemental, voluntary remediation activities at both on- and off-site locations.
Since 2014 Whirlpool and their environmental consultant, Ramboll, have, with continued oversight by ADEQ, conducted required and supplemental remediation efforts in accordance with the December 2013 RADD and November 2015 revised RADD (RADDs).
Whirlpool has conducted numerous soil, groundwater, and air investigations including an ongoing routine annual groundwater and air monitoring program. These investigations and routine monitoring events provide continued evaluation of remedial actions and the nature and extent of contamination. Nothing in the findings from these investigations and routine monitoring events have changed the conclusion that there remains no health risk to Fort Smith residents from exposure to TCE in the groundwater beneath or near the Whirlpool property. These conclusions were further affirmed by a January 2016 Human Health Risk Assessment, which confirmed there are no health risks to area residents.
It is also important to note that during this time period, Whirlpool has reached settlement agreements with property owners in and around a proposed well drilling ban area within the vicinity of the former manufacturing facility. Additionally, and the 623,000 sq. ft. warehouse facility was acquired sold by from Whirlpool by Spartan Logistics in 2015. The facility is currently owned by Phoenix Fort Smith Industrial Investors LLC and hosts Today, four companies are operating at that location employing over 300 individuals the building as a warehouse and/or distribution center.
