Wickes Manufacturing TCE Plume;
Mancelona, Michigan

Site Background

From 1947 to 1967, TCE was used in vapor degreasers for automotive manufacturing. The name of the facility has changed several times, but is now known as Dura Automotive Manufacturing Plant (Dura). Through various improper disposal methods, TCE has nw contaminated the groundwater in and around Mancelona, MI. The contaminated plume stretches from the Dura plant to the Schuss Mountain/Shanty Creek Resort area, covering a distance of roughly six miles. The plume has also streched to a width of 1.25 miles at the leading edge. The first investigation for groundwater contamination was conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1986. The TCE concentration was found to be 830 micrograms per liter (ug/L) or more than 160 times the maximum contaminate level (MCL) set by EPA at 5 ppb. (1ug/L equals 1 ppb)