U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Louisa Acme Well Site - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III
|
|
Subject:
|
POLREP #2
- Notice of Removal Activation
Louisa Acme Well Site
Louisa, VA
Latitude: 38.0129580 Longitude: -77.9855590
|
|
To:
|
Mr. Jeff Lake, Virginia Department of Health
Mr. Dean Rodgers, Louisa County Water Authority
|
|
From:
|
Christine Wagner, OSC
|
|
Date:
|
11/29/2010
|
|
Reporting Period:
|
11/22/10-11/29/10
|
|
1. Introduction
|
|
|
1.1 Background
|
|
|
|
|
Site Number: |
A3RC |
|
Contract Number: |
|
|
D.O. Number: |
|
|
Action Memo Date: |
11/24/2010 |
|
Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
|
Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
|
Response Lead: |
EPA |
|
Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
|
NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
|
Operable Unit: |
|
|
Mobilization Date: |
11/26/2010 |
|
Start Date: |
11/26/2010 |
|
Demob Date: |
|
|
Completion Date: |
|
|
CERCLIS ID: |
|
|
RCRIS ID: |
|
|
ERNS No.: |
|
|
State Notification: |
VDEQ |
|
FPN#: |
|
|
Reimbursable Account #: |
|
1.1.1 Incident Category
An emergency sampling assessment led to a Time-Critical Removal Action which began on 11/26/10
1.1.2 Site Description
100-200 Area of Jefferson Highway, Louisa, Virginia. Area may be expanded upon additional information
1.1.2.1 Location
38.012958 N
-77.985559 W
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
At the request of VDH and VDEQ, EPA and VDH performed sampling of three private residential wells near the Louisa Acme Town Well (not in service). The preliminary results of this testing indicated high levels of tetrachloroethylene in the residential drinking water wells. The OSC determined a removal action was neccessary and activated funds in the amount of $250,000 on 11/24/10 to provide bottled water to the affected residents.
|
|
2. Current Activities
|
|
|
2.1 Operations Section
|
|
|
|
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.
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
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.
Preliminary results indicated high levels of tetrachloroethylene in two of the residential drinking water wells. Based on these results, the OSC determined that a removal action was necessary.
On Tuesday 11/25/10, VDH personnel visited residents door-to-door and advised a NO USE water advisory for those residents using private drinking water wells in the area.
On Wednesday, the EPA OSC prepared a Special Bulletin activating funds of $250,000 to mitigate the immediate threat to public health. The OSC arranged for a contractor to deliver water to the two residents who had elevated results. The third property is not currently occupied.
On Friday 11/26/10, the OSC met with one of the residents receiving bottled water to answer questions and discuss future actions.
A mobile home park is located in the affected area. Residents were individually contacted and advised not to use the water until test results could be obtained.
VDH received permission to sample from the owner of the mobile home park. On 11/29/10, VDH and EPA collected a drinking water sample from one of the residents who use this well. VDH was also able to obtain access from two additional residents who are located upgradient from the Acme well. A total of three residential well samples were collected on 11/29/10.
The samples collected on 11/29/10 were delivered by VDH personnel to Virginia Consolidated Laboratory Services
The Acme well is not considered the source of contamination. However, it is being used as a starting point until more information becomes available.
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
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.2 Planning Section
|
|
|
|
2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
A public availability session is scheduled for Thursday December 2 at Town Hall. VDH, VDEQ, EPA, ATSDR, and Town officials are expected to participate.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
EPA will provide bottled water as a temporary measure to residents whose drinking water sampling results exceed 10 micrograms/liter of tetrachloroethylene.
EPA is beginning a removal assessment to determine the source and extent of contamination.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
EPA will continue to work with VDH to identify additional drinking water wells in the area and arrange for sampling.
2.2.2 Issues
At this time, VDH has advised residents in the area who have drinking water wells not to drink the water until test results are received.
Most of the residents in the area, including the residence closest to the Site, are already using public drinking water.
This emergency sampling event will be followed by a more complete removal assessment to try and determine source, nature, and extent of contamination.
The Acme well is not considered the source of contamination, but to date has the highest concentration of tetrachloroethylene. Therefore, this will be used as a starting point for additional investigation.
A Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Thursday December 2 at Louisa Town Hall.
|
|
|
2.3 Logistics Section
|
|
|
|
START provided logistics for samples being delivered to the EPA Fort Meade Laboratory.
DCLS provided logistics for samples delivered on 11/29/10
WRS has been hired as the contractor who will be providing bottled water to affected residents
|
|
|
2.4 Finance Section
|
|
|
|
No information available at this time.
|
|
|
2.5 Other Command Staff
|
|
|
|
2.5.1 Safety Officer
2.6 Liaison Officer
2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
Dr. Maureen Dempsey - VDH
Roy Seneca - EPA
2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
Francisco Cruz - EPA
|
|
3. Participating Entities
|
|
|
3.1 Unified Command
Town of Louisa
Brad Humphrey - Asst Town Mgr
VDEQ
Devlin Harris
Richard Doucette
VDH
Steven Kvech
G. Steven Rice
Jeff McDaniel
Dr. Lilian Peake
James Moore
Doug Caldwell
Wes Kleene
Barry Matthews
Matt Skiljo
Dr. Maureen Dempsey, Deputy Director VDH
DCLS
Mr. Greer Mills
EPA
Chris Wagner, OSC
Francisco Cruz, CIC
Victoria Binetti, Water Protection Division
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
|
|
4. Personnel On Site
|
|
|
Mr. Wes Kleene - VDH
Mr. Jeff McDaniel - VDH
Mr. Barry Matthews - VDH
Mr. Matt Skiljo - VDH
Chris Wagner - EPA
|
|
5. Definition of Terms
|
|
|
No information available at this time.
|
|
6. Additional sources of information
|
|
|
No information available at this time.
|
|
7. Situational Reference Materials
|
|
|
No information available at this time.
|
|
|
