In February, 2001, NCDENR discovered the presence of Chlorinated Solvents above drinking water standards in a non-transient community well near Bessemer City of Gaston County; NCDENR ordered a filter system to be installed on the well. According to later sampling events, the filter system was ineffectively maintaining the water contaminants below the MCL. Two other groundwater wells were found to contain Chlorinated Solvents; one well served several businesses and a filter system was installed, the other well showed contaminant levels below the MCL.
In May of 2006, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) requested assistance from the US EPA to determine the existence and extent of contamination to groundwater. Approximately 20 residences are located within ¼ mile of the site, and approximately 20 more residences are located slightly further than ¼ mile of the site. NCDENR informed EPA that nearly all of the neighboring residences obtained drinking water from private groundwater wells.
