U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Louisa Acme Well Site - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III
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Subject:
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POLREP #3
Louisa Acme Well Site
Louisa, VA
Latitude: 38.0129580 Longitude: -77.9855590
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To:
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Mr. Jeff Lake, Virginia Department of Health
Mr. Dean Rodgers, Louisa County Water Authority
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From:
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Christine Wagner, OSC
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Date:
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12/2/2010
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Reporting Period:
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11/29/10 - 12/02/10 (noon)
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
A3RC |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
11/24/2010 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
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Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
11/26/2010 |
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Start Date: |
11/26/2010 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
VDEQ |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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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
High levels of tetrachloroethylene have been detected in the Louisa AcmeTown Well (not in service), as well as in several private drinking water wells. The EPA 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.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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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
During the week of 11/22/10 (Thanksgiving week), EPA collected samples from private drinking water wells of several residents as well as another sample of the Louisa Acme Well. These samples indicated elevated levels of tetrachloroethylene. 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.
Also during this week, represenatives from the Virginia Department of Health went door to door to contact residents using private well water. These residents were advised not to use their drinking water until their water was tested. VDH also distributed educational materials on tetrachloroethylene.
During the week of 11/29/10, an additional three well samples were tested by VDH, including one from a mobile home park on Jefferson Highway. The other two samples were collected from wells on Davis Highway, upgradient from the Louisa Acme Well. The results of these tests did not indicate elevated levels of tetrachloroethylene. VDH contacted these residents by telephone on 12/1/10 to provide them their sampling results.
On 11/30/10, EPA OSC Wagner and VDEQ Site Assessment Manager Harris visited the Site to collect information necessary for the removal sampling assessment. Areas of targeted sampling will include all residential wells in the 100-200 area of Jefferson Highway, wells on the Piedmont Metal Fabricators, and two lagoons in the area. All of these locations are dependent upon EPA obtaining legal access to sample these properties.
On 12/2/10, the EPA OSC met with representatives of Piedmont Metal Fabricators, the facility located closest to the Louisa Acme Well. This facility does not use tetrachloroethylene. The facility produces machinery and uses only phosphate-based detergents. There are four monitoring wells on the property which are not being used by the current owner. The operators of Piedmont Metal Fabricators gave EPA permission to sample these 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
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Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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2.2 Planning Section
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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 begin preliminary work for the removal sampling assessment including, but not limited to identifying target sampling locations, obtaining legal access for sampling, verifying current property owners, developing a Site-specific health and safety plan, developing a Site-specific sampling plan, and procuring logistics necessary for this sampling event. A data has not yet been selected.
2.2.2 Issues
At this time, VDH has lifted the NO USE advisory for residents in the mobile home park.
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 6 pm at Louisa Town Hall.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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START provided logistics for samples being delivered to the EPA Fort Meade Laboratory.
VDH has provided personnel for sampling of several residents.
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
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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2.5.1 Safety Officer
2.6 Liaison Officer
2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
Dr. Maureen Dempsey - VDH
Dr. Lilian Peak, VDH
Roy Seneca - EPA
2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
Francisco Cruz - EPA
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
Town of Louisa
Brad Humphrey - Asst Town Mgr
VDEQ
Devlin Harris
Richard Doucette
VDH
Dr. Maurenn Dempsey, VDH, Deputy Commissioner
Dr. Lilian Peake, VDH, Thomas Jefferson Health District
Jeff McDaniel, VDH, Thomas Jefferson Health District
G. Steven Rice, VDH, Louisa County
Wes Kleene
Steven Kvech
Barry Matthews
Matt Skiljo
DCLS
Mr. Greer Mills
EPA
Chris Wagner, OSC
Francisco Cruz, CIC
Victoria Binetti, Water Protection Division
Carlyn Prisk, Cost Recovery
LaRonda Koffi - Congressional Liaison
ATSDR
Lora Werner
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
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4. Personnel On Site
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Mr. Jeff McDaniel - VDH
Mr. Barry Matthews - VDH
Mr. Matt Skiljo - VDH
Mr.G.Steven Rice - VDH
Chris Wagner - EPA
Devlin Harris - VDEQ
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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No information available at this time.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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