Florida Department of Rick Scott

Governor
Environmental Protection Carlos Lopez-Cantera
Lt. Governor
South District
Post Office Box 2549
Noah Valenstein
Fort Myers, Florida 33902-2549
Secretary
SouthDistrict@dep.state.fl.us

March 9, 2018

Theresa Hamilton
3345 South St
Fort Myers FL 33916

RE: Your property located at 3345 South St, in Fort Myers, FL

Dear Ms. Hamilton:

As you are likely aware, the City of Fort Myers is in the process of conducting an assessment
and developing a cleanup plan for their South Street site, which is located in the city block
bordered by South Street, Henderson Avenue, Jeffcott Street, and Midway Avenue. As part of
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s oversight of these activities, we routinely
review reports and data submitted by the City to ensure these activities are conducted in
compliance with the state’s environmental regulations.

As part of their ongoing assessment efforts, on February 16, the City submitted a Site
Assessment Report - Phase I, to the Department. We are writing you as a nearby property owner
to share information contained in this report and the outcome of DEP’s review.

The report confirms the conclusion of the City’s preliminary assessment, submitted January 12,
that arsenic is present in the groundwater onsite, as well as upstream and downstream of the
site. As this time, the data we have does not conclude whether the arsenic levels found in the
groundwater sampling are a result of the lime sludge. However, because there are arsenic levels
in the groundwater on the site that exceed drinking water standards, additional sampling by the
City will be required. This sampling will either be part of a Phase II Assessment or conducted as
part of the City’s sludge removal process.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?

The City has stated that it intends to move forward with complete sludge removal. Once the
removal plan is finalized and approved by the City Council, the City is required, prior to
beginning this removal, to provide a written notification to the Department.
Notice of Nearby Groundwater Contamination
March 9, 2018
Page 2

This notice must include:

• A description of the type of contamination,

• An estimated volume of soil or sediment to be removed, and
• All proposed disposal methods to be utilized.

It is our understanding the City has been working to finalize the details of its removal plan and is
hoping to present it to the Council for approval in the near future. We would expect that, once
approved, the City will submit its notice to the Department for review for compliance with the
state’s cleanup regulations very soon thereafter.

Once the remediation is completed, the City will be required to conduct onsite and offsite
sampling to ensure complete remediation. This monitoring would also provide additional data to
aid in the determination whether the sludge was a contributor to the offsite arsenic levels or the
arsenic is from another source or naturally occurring.

DEP remains available to assist the City as needed and is committed to working closely with the
City to ensure that the site is cleaned up effectively, in accordance with the state’s environmental
laws, and that public health and safety are protected.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME AS A NEARBY PROPERTY OWNER?

The detected off-site groundwater arsenic levels ranged from 4.41 to 35.5 micrograms per liter.
Although these levels do not pose any immediate health risk as this area is served by a public
water supply, some of these results do exceed the drinking water standard for arsenic, which is
10 micrograms per liter.

Based on Lee County records, your property is connected to Lee County Utilities and receiving
drinking water from this public water supply, which is treated, tested and regulated under the
Safe Drinking Water Act. However, as a nearby property owner, the Department wants to ensure
that you are aware of these results. Should you have a private well that you use for drinking
water purposes, we encourage you to notify the City to have your well tested.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

• If you receive your drinking water from Lee County Utilities’ municipal public drinking
water system, then you do not need to do anything. Lee County Utilities provides a safe
drinking water supply, which is treated and regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act
to ensure it meets all drinking water standards.

• Records indicate that you are connected and receiving drinking water from Lee County
Utilities. If you have a private well that you are using for your drinking water supply
instead of this public water supply, please inform the City and DEP about the existence of
Notice of Nearby Groundwater Contamination
March 9, 2018
Page 3

the well, so that your well can be tested. DEP recommends that the use of private wells
for drinking water and cooking be discontinued until the well is tested and results are
received. During this time, please utilize the available public water supply.

• Should you have a private well that is being used only for irrigation, and never for
drinking or cooking, then no further action is necessary at this time; however, please let
the City know about the existence of the irrigation well.

• If you are the property owner of the subject address, but do not reside there and have
lessees or tenants on your property, please provide a copy of this notice to them.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION?

The City has indicated they will continue to post updates on their assessment and cleanup efforts
on their web site at the following link: http://www.3348southstreet.com/.
For more information, please contact the City’s Project Manager, Mr. Richard Thompson at
(239) 321-7630, or by email at rthompson@cityftmyers.com.
DEP’s electronic public records for this site are available 24/7 at the following internet link:
http://prodenv.dep.state.fl.us/DepNexus/public/electronic-documents/COM_288039/facility!search.

If you have any questions for DEP, please contact Mr. Terry Cerullo at (239) 344-5647, or by
email Terry.Cerullo@dep.state.fl.us.

Sincerely,

Jon M. Iglehart
Director of District Management

ec: Richard Moulton, rmoulton@cityftmyers.com

Richard Thompson, rthompson@cityftmyers.com
Saeed Kazemi, sKazemi@CityFtMyers.com
Pamela Keyes, PKeyes@leegov.com
Brian Bates, Brian.Bates@flhealth.gov