(New York, N.Y.) The E.P.A. has suggested a project to address contaminated soil and groundwater at the San German Groundwater Contamination Superfund Location in San German, P.R.
Sampling at the Location showed that public water supply wells, soil and groundwater were contaminated with volatile organic compounds, including PCE, a widely used solvent in industrial processes. Exposure to PCE can have serious health impacts, including liver damage and increased risk of cancer.
After discovering the contamination, the Puerto Rico Department of Health ordered the wells closed in 2006. Area residents are connected to safe sources of drinking water from other municipal water supplies in the area.
The E.P.A. will hold a public meeting to explain the suggested project on August 19, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at Santa Marta Basketball Court, Parque de Santa Marta, Carr. 102 Km 32.9 Interior, Urbanizacion Santa Marta San German, PR. Written comments will be accepted until September 11, 2015.
The San German Groundwater Contamination Superfund Location includes the Retiro Industrial Park, and adjacent areas. Over 44 nearby industrial sites were part of the EPA's investigation. The cleanup of the Location has been divided into 2 phases. The 1st phase addresses contaminated soil and shallow, highly contaminated groundwater because they act as an ongoing source of contamination for a broader area of groundwater. The 2nd phase deals with contamination of groundwater throughout the site.
The suggested project addresses the areas that are the potential source of PCE contamination in the soil and the groundwater. The E.P.A. is proposing a combination of systems that use pumps and other methods to remove pollutants from the most contaminated areas of soil and groundwater. Prior to installing these systems, the E.P.A. will conduct a study to determine exactly how the system should be designed.
The E.P.A. will also determine if the Location needs to install caps on portions of the land to limit the ability of rainwater to soak into the ground. Throughout the process, the E.P.A. will monitor the groundwater and soil to ensure the effectiveness of the cleanup plan.
In addition, the E.P.A. is investigating whether vapors from the groundwater and soil may have gotten into buildings on and near the site. This investigation is ongoing and the E.P.A. will install ventilation systems in buildings where needed.
Written comments on the EPA's suggested project may be mailed or emailed to: Adalberto Bosque, PhD, MBA, Remedial Plan Manager, E.P.A., City View Plaza II - Suite 7000, 48 RD, 165 Km. 1.2, Guaynabo, PR 00968-8069, telephone: 787-977-5825, email: [email protected].
