People who live on and around Pigeon Lake in Manitowoc County have been informed that they may see some unusual activity tomorrow and Thursday. The reason is that the US Environmental Protection Agency will be doing a cleanup involving the removal of drums containing potentially hazardous materials.
The problem came to light last July when the Wisconsin DNR was notified of an abandoned 55-gallon drum leaking something into the lake. The drum was removed from the lake and tested, finding lead concentrations that exceed EPA limits. Three more old and deteriorating drums were then located on the lake bottom that could also contain lead or other potentially hazardous materials, which could leak and possibly endanger those who swim there or consume fish from the lake.
Beginning on Wednesday, the EPA will be stabilizing those drums, and using divers and a crane, remove and dispose of them at an EPA-approved facility. The operation should wrap up on Thursday.
Location of Drums on Pigeon Lake – Graphic from the US EPA
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