Construction of the Southeast Commerce Passive Treatment System, located in Commerce, Oklahoma, is underway at the Tar Creek Superfund site. The University of Oklahoma, working under a Sponsored Research and Remediation Agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), will include the following projects:

• Installing Erosion and Sedimentation Controls;
• Clearing and grubbing;
• Performing necessary earthwork, such as excavating ponds, installing
• channels, and constructing earth fill embankments;
• Installing piping, valves, valve protection structures, and outlet structures;
• Furnishing and placing stone and treatment media;
• Vegetating treatment wetlands; and
• Re-vegetating disturbed areas.

The intent of this project is to construct a passive treatment system that will address contaminated mine drainage water quality associated with discharges from the reclaimed surface collapse features located on the site. The mine water associated with this project is typical of Tar Creek mine drainage and contains elevated iron, zinc, lead and cadmium concentrations. Construction work on the site will continue into the spring of 2017.

For more information about the Southeast Commerce Passive Treatment System, contact Brian Stanila, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Project Manager, at 405-702-5138. For more information about the Tar Creek Superfund Site, visit https://www.deq.ok.gov/land-protection-division/cleanup-redevelopment/superfund/

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