On August 19, 2009 OSC Stephen Ball received preliminary analytical data from an EPA site assessment sampling event in Asheville, North Carolina. Preliminary results from one residential well indicated elevated TCE (trichloroethylene) concentrations of approximately 800 ug/l (the maximum contaminant level for TCE in groundwater is 5 ug/l). The well depth is approximately 500 feet deep. The OSC immediately contacted the resident to confirm that they were drinking the well water. The resident indicated that he, along with his wife and child, were consuming the groundwater; the resident also indicated that his son and daughter-in-law were living in the residence next-door which was connected to the same well, so they were also consuming the well water. The OSC also notified the Region 4 ERRB telephone duty officer of the situation. The telephone duty officer OSC determined that conditions at the Site met criteria listed under 40 CFR 300.415 for initiation of an emergency removal action and that a release or threat of a release of hazardous substances existed at the Site. The telephone duty officer OSC authorized funding to initiate an Emergency Removal Action to mitigate the threat to human health or welfare or the environment.
The site is located at 14 and 18 Chapel Hill Church Road, Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina. The geographic coordinates of the Site are 35o 29’ 48” N Latitude and -82o 29’ 59” W Longitude.
The OSC activated EPA ERRS contractor on the night of August 19, 2009 to stabilize conditions at the Site. Ten cases of bottled water were delivered to the homes on August 19, 2009. On August 22, 2009 several five gallon containers of water were delivered to both homes by a local water delivery service. The residents will continue to receive monthly deliveries of water until other actions are taken to mitigate the risk posed by the contaminated drinking water well.
The OSC contacted ATSDR to speak to the residents of possible health effects of TCE. On Thursday, August 20, 2009 an ATSDR representative as well as a North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services representative contacted the residents regarding health effects of the contaminants.
The well has been resampled by ERT and currently awaiting final results.
The OSC is currently working with the ERRS contractor to install an off-premise private city water line to both residences. Efforts will be coordinated with the Asheville City Water Department. Construction is expected to commence the week of September 7, 2009.
The contaminated well is located within a mile radius of the CTS/Mills Gap Groundwater Contamination site. Efforts are currently under way by EPA Site Evaluation Branch to determine if the contamination can be attributed to the site.
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