ZANESVILLE - The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is considering two applications by Cooper U.S. Inc. asking for permission to conduct groundwater cleanup operations at its former Pershing Road location.
A public hearing to hear concerns from residents and officials about the potential impact on Chap's Run will be held beginning at 6 p.m. Monday at the John McIntire Library.
Houston, Texas-based Cooper intends to build a pump system on the site at 1510 Pershing Road to treat contaminated groundwater in two wells, and the water would then be discharged into Chap's Run and then to the Muskingum River.
The groundwater contains volatile chemicals which would be treated using an air stripper.
The discharge could result in a change to the water quality, but under EPA regulations cannot violate requirements which protect the health and safety of the environment.
The pending applications cover the installation of the pump system as well as the discharge from it.
Comments will be accepted during the hearing or can be submitted in writing to the Ohio EPA's Division of Surface Water through Friday.
Cooper Industries operated a Power Systems facility at the site until the building was razed and the property deeded to the Muskingum County Agricultural Society in July 1994.
The area has been used for parking at the Muskingum County Fairgrounds since that time, although the ag society was not permitted to build any permanent structures on the property due to the underground contamination.
