2.1.1 Narrative

The Louisa Acme Well is owned by the Town of Louisa.  This well has been inactive for approximately 20 years. The Town was investigating the possibility of reactivating this well for use.  As part of the feasibility study, the Town arranged to have the well sampled.

The well sample indicated a high level of tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene, "PCE", or "perc".  Perc was formerly widely used in the dry-cleaning business. The chemical is also used as an industrial solvent.

The well was re-tested again in late October, and the results were similar.  Based on a level of PCE which greatly exceeds EPA drinking water standards, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) requested assistance.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

VDH reached out to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) for assistance.  During the week of 11/15/10 to 11/18/10, several conference calls were held to formulate a strategy to ensure that public health is protected.

VDH identified 4 potential residences with drinking water wells in the area and a fifth well which serves a small mobile home park.

VDEQ requested EPA assistance in sampling these wells.  VDEQ Site Assessment Manager Harris and EPA OSC Wagner planned a windshield reconnaissance for Monday 11/22/10.

On Friday, 11/19/10, OSC Wagner was contacted directly by VDH.  VDH requested emergency sampling be performed at the residences described above.  VDH worked on a list of questions and answers to be handed out to the residences.  ATSDR provided a Fact Sheet on tetrachloroethylene to VDH.

OSC Wagner, VDH, and the Virginia Department of Consolidated Laboratories (DCLS) worked on a sampling plan and laboratory capabilities.  VDH stressed the need to have verbal (non-verified) results by close of business on Wednesday (Thanksgiving on Thursday).  OSC Wagner picked up sampling equipment from DCLS.  However, DCLS informed EPA that they would not be able to run the samples unless they had them by Monday morning.

EPA Office of Drinking Water V. Binnetti contacted EPA's Fort Meade Laboratory to request their assistance.  The EPA Fort Meade Lab agreed to run the samples provided they were also delivered by Monday.

VDH requested EPA contact the residents after the Q&A and Fact Sheets were prepared.  VDH contacted the OSC after close of business on Friday to request EPA begin contacting residences to be sampled. Over the weekend, OSC Wagner attempted to contact the residences identified by VDH and VDEQ.  However, none of the residents called back with their approval to sample

Also on Friday 11/19/10, OSC Wagner requested the support of an EPA Community Involvement Coordinator.

On Monday, 11/22/10, EPA, VDH and EPA's START Contractor met and began going door-to-door.  EPA and VDH explained the need for sampling and requested access to sample the residential drinking water wells.

EPA and VDH were able to successfully obtain permission from 3 of the residences.  EPA also collected another sample from the Louisa Acme Town Well.  EPA was unable to obtain access for two other residential wells.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

The source, nature, and extent of contamination have not yet been identified.  EPA will continue to work on enforcement issues as the assessment progresses.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics