The Cabo Rojo Site (Site) consists of a groundwater plume that has impacted several public drinking water supply wells in and around the municipality of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico (PR). The source of the plume has not been identified. Samples collected by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) from 2002 to 2006 have identified the presence of tetrachloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE), cis-1,2-dichloroethene (DCE) and 1,1-DCE within the Cabo Rojo Urbano System, particularly in the Ana Maria well. EPA confirmed the presence of these contaminants in the Ana Maria well in 2007, and began site reconnaissance activities that included 68 facilities in and around Cabo Rojo. Preliminary Assessment/Site Inspections (PA/SI) were completed at fifteen facilities, 13 of which included soil and groundwater sampling. Although the source of the groundwater contamination was not specifically identified, contamination was detected at D’Elegant Fantastic Dry Cleaners (DEC), Extasy Q Prints (EQP), and Cabo Rojo Professional Dry Cleaners (CRPDC). The Site was listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) on March 10, 2011 (US EPA 2012).
In June 2011, at the EPA Remedial Program request of the Environmental Protection Agency/Environmental Response Team (EPA/ERT) and EPA Region II, Scientific, Engineering, Response and Analytical Services (SERAS) personnel conducted a preliminary remedial investigation (RI) of the Site to confirm or negate possible sources of groundwater contamination based on previous EPA findings and/or suspected sources of contaminants. The analytical results from preliminary RI indicated that there are measurable levels of PCE, TCE, and DCE at four of the 13 Site properties included in the investigation.
In February 2012, SERAS was tasked by the EPA/ERT and EPA Region II to return to the Site to conduct a soil vapor intrusion sampling study at several Site properties that were included in the preliminary RI. The Site properties included DEC, CRPDC, EQP, and Serrano Dry Cleaners II (S2A and S2B).
In March 2012, SERAS was tasked by the EPA/ERT and EPA Region II to return to the Site and expand the soil vapor intrusion sampling study to include 32 additional Site properties.
On May 23, 2012, the owner of CRPDC hired Safety Kleen contractors to sample and dispose of the unknown hazardous waste drum. Safety Kleen performed a TCLP and identified the waste codes for Transportation and Disposal. The materials was overpacked and sent for disposal.The Cabo Rojo Site (Site) consists of a groundwater plume that has impacted several public drinking water supply wells in and around the municipality of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico (PR). The source of the plume has not been identified. Samples collected by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) from 2002 to 2006 have identified the presence of tetrachloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE), cis-1,2-dichloroethene (DCE) and 1,1-DCE within the Cabo Rojo Urbano System, particularly in the Ana Maria well. EPA confirmed the presence of these contaminants in the Ana Maria well in 2007, and began site reconnaissance activities that included 68 facilities in and around Cabo Rojo. Preliminary Assessment/Site Inspections (PA/SI) were completed at fifteen facilities, 13 of which included soil and groundwater sampling. Although the source of the groundwater contamination was not specifically identified, contamination was detected at D’Elegant Fantastic Dry Cleaners (DEC), Extasy Q Prints (EQP), and Cabo Rojo Professional Dry Cleaners (CRPDC). The Site was listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) on March 10, 2011 (US EPA 2012).
In June 2011, at the EPA Remedial Program request of the Environmental Protection Agency/Environmental Response Team (EPA/ERT) and EPA Region II, Scientific, Engineering, Response and Analytical Services (SERAS) personnel conducted a preliminary remedial investigation (RI) of the Site to confirm or negate possible sources of groundwater contamination based on previous EPA findings and/or suspected sources of contaminants. The analytical results from preliminary RI indicated that there are measurable levels of PCE, TCE, and DCE at four of the 13 Site properties included in the investigation.
In February 2012, SERAS was tasked by the EPA/ERT and EPA Region II to return to the Site to conduct a soil vapor intrusion sampling study at several Site properties that were included in the preliminary RI. The Site properties included DEC, CRPDC, EQP, and Serrano Dry Cleaners II (S2A and S2B).
In March 2012, SERAS was tasked by EPA/ERT and EPA Region II to return to the Site and expand the soil vapor intrusion sampling study to include 32 additional Site properties. During the Site investigation on March 20, 2012, EPA found that CRPDC had several containers and a drum in a storage building located in the rear of its property. EPA performed this inspection with the owner and requested the owner to remove a 15 gallon drum and the other containers. The EPA and the EQB Representatives continued to provide on-technical oversight and compliance assistance to the owner for the removal of the materials.
The PRP performed a PRP-Lead emergency removal without an enforceable instrument by EPA. After analysis of the drum content, the owner of CRPDC hired Safety Kleen contractors to sample and dispose of the unknown hazardous waste drum. Safety Kleen identified the waste codes for Transportation and Disposal. The material was over packed and sent for disposal on May 23, 2012.
