On March 8, 2017, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) requested EPA assistance with providing emergency potable water to multiple properties on or near L L Harwell Road, Gastonia, NC. The potable water supply consists of multiple groundwater wells supplying approximately 11 residences. Contaminants of concern include 1,1 Dicloroethene, Cis-1,2-Dichloroethene, Tetrachloroethene, Trichloroehene, Vinyl Chloride, 1,4-Dioxane. The concentration of the contaminates in the drinking water exceed EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL). NCDEQ and Gaston County Public Health have met or communicated with the impacted residence. The residents were advised to not use their well water for cooking, drinking or bathing. On-Scene Coordinator Eichinger, Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) Contractors and Emergency and Rapid Removal Services (ERRS) Contractors were mobilized to the Site to assist NCDEQ and Gaston County Public Health. NCDEQ has identified up to three potential offsite facilities that may be responsible for the groundwater contamination. However, that investigation is still in process and there is not yet a responsible party. A filtration system was installed at the drinking water well supplying water to the Harwell Estates Mobile Home Park. OSC Tripp coordinated with the City of Gastonia, ERRS Contractors, and the property owners to connect all affected residents to City water. A water line extension was completed on December 11, 2017 that is providing the residents at LL Harwell Road with City drinking water. The well water treatment system was disconnected and donated to the NCDEQ, the well was capped and locked for future use as a monitoring well.
