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 #5
Update on Sampling Assessment
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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1/27/2011
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Reporting Period:
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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. The removal action scope includes providing bottled water to affected residents until a permanent water supply can be connected. Since the last Polrep, the OSC has requested the assistance of EPA's Contracting Office to support a mechanism for public water hookup.
1.1.2 Site Description
100-200 Area of Jefferson Highway, Louisa, Virginia. Area may be expanded upon additional information. The Site boundaries have not been defined as the source of contamination is still unknown.
1.1.2.1 Location
38.012958 N
-77.985559 W
The coordinates above are for the Acme Well. This is not considered the Site source, but is being used as a reference for documentation purposes.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
Tetrachloroethylene is a manufactured chemical used for dry cleaning and metal degreasing. It is also known as perchloroethylene or "perk"
The EPA maximum contaminant level for the amount of tetrachloroethylene that in a public drinking water supply is drinking water is 5 micrograms tetrachloroethylene per liter of water (0.005 mg/L).
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a limit of 100 ppm for an 8-hour workday over a 40-hour workweek.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that tetrachloroethylene be handled as a potential carcinogen and recommends that levels in workplace air should be as low as possible.
For more information on tetrachloroethylene, please see the "DOCUMENTS" section of the main website.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
An assessment is currently underway.
The Site was brought to EPA's attention when a sample from an unused Town well (known hereafter as the "Acme Well") indicated high levels of tetrachloroethylene.
The Virginia Department of Health and EPA collected samples from nearby residents who still use private drinking water wells. Most of the residents in the area are already connected to public water.
Results from the testing indicated elevated levels of tetrachloroethylene in several of the wells. In November of 2010, EPA activated emergency funds to provide bottled water to the most affected residents.
The source, nature, and extent of contamination are unknown and background information is limited.
A Real Estate Transfer Environmental Assessment was prepared for the former Acme Visible Records facility in 1992. This document is now posted in the "DOCUMENTS" section of this website.
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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.
Since the initial result, the Acme Well has been sampled two more times both by EPA and the Town of Louisa. Results are consistently high for tetrachloroethylene.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
EPA performed well sampling in the area of the Acme well during the week of January17, 2011.
EPA collected samples from three residential properties. Two other residents declined sampling. EPA was unable to contact the owners of two additional residences.
EPA collected samples from the four monitoring wells on the adjacent Piedmont Metal Fabricators facility. The owner of this property granted EPA and its contractor permission to sample. The wells have not been used by the facility. The wells were found in good condition. Depth to groundwater was approximately 10-15 feet.
All samples were sent to Mitkem Laboratories in Warwick, RI for analysis of volatile organic contaminants. At the time of this polrep, results have not yet been received.
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.
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Sampling will continue during the week of February 14, 2011. Note that this is one-week delay from the original planned date of 2/7/11.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
EPA hopes to finalize water connection arrangements within the next several weeks.
2.2.1.2 Assessment
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During the week of February 14, 2011, EPA and its contractor will return to the SIte to collect groundwater , surface water, and sediment samples. This will involve using a geoprobe to advance sampling tools through the soils to collect a wide variety of groundwater samples. This sampling will be performed to help determine the extent of contamination and the direction of the tetrachloroethylene migration. EPA's contractor is currently working to procure the logistics necessary for this work. EPA will examine the drill cuttings for evidence of tetrachloroethylene in the soil and is planning on collecting a limited number of samples from the corings.
Also during the week of February 14, EPA plans on sampling sediment from the two lagoons in the nearby area, pending permission for access.
2.2.2 Issues
Note: The Phase II sampling originally posted to be conducted during the week of February 7 has been moved to the week of February 14, 2011 due to availability of a track-mounted geoprobe needed to perform groundwater sampling.
Residents with elevated tetrachloroethylene have been advised not to use their drinking water for consumption or bathing. Bottled water is being supplied to these residents at no cost. EPA is pursuing the purchase of shower water filters for these residents to use for bathing.
The EPA OSCs have been pursuing several options for entering into agreements with the Town of Louisa and Louisa County to provide bottled water. Several contracting mechanisms are not available as originally intended. During the week of January 24, the OSCs worked with the EPA contracting staff to develop a plan of action to provide public water. The OSCs would like to thank the Town of Louisa staff for their patience in this endeavor.
Sampling will be conducted consistent with protocols for a Remedial Site Evaluation as defined by 40 CFR 300.420.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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WRS has been hired as the contractor who is providing bottled water to affected residents This action will continue until public water is installed. WRS will also assist with the final connections for public water.
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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
Trish Taylor - 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 - Site Assessment Manager
Richard Doucette - NRO Waste Program Manager
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
DCLS
Mr. Greer Mills
EPA
Chris Wagner, OSC
Todd Richardson OSC
Francisco Cruz, OSC
Trish Taylor, 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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EPA and TechLaw personnel sampled residential wells during the week of January 17th. VDEQ D. Harris assisted and provided technical guidance.
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5. Definition of Terms
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Maximum contaminant level means the maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water which is delivered to the free flowing outlet of the ultimate user of a public water system; except in the case of turbidity where the maximum permissible level is measured at the point of entry to the distribution system. Contaminants added to the water under circumstances controlled by the user, except for those resulting from corrosion of piping and plumbing caused by water quality are excluded from this definition. (40 CFR 142.2)
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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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