By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The former Plating Inc. building, on west 6th Street near the Great Bend Municipal Airport, has been demolished and work continues to clean up the contamination site. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noted the process for cleanup on the former chromium and zinc plating facility began in 2008.
Great Bend City Administrator Brandon Anderson said crews continue the cleanup at the site.
"The structure is down," said Anderson. "They're tearing out the concrete footings. They have the piles. They'll be taking all that dirt out and replacing it. That project has begun."
Since filing for bankruptcy in 2006, Plating Inc. left all the tanks full of solutions. With the demolition of the building, EPA will treat and remove the soil.
Last November, EPA Remedial Project Manager Clint Sperry said Great Bend’s water table is around 12 to 13 feet below ground surface. One of the tanks at Plating Inc. was 22 feet deep, creating a concern with steel tanks and water over the years.
The EPA is hopeful to have the project finished by the spring 2025 and have the property available in the future.