(New York, N.Y.) The E.P.A. has finalized a project to address contaminated soil at a 2-acre former pesticide facility located in the municipality of ManatÃ, Puerto Rico. The Pesticide Warehouse III Superfund Location has soil and groundwater contaminated with pesticides and dioxins. A groundwater investigation is underway and a project to address the contamination will be presented at a later date.
"The E.P.A. will work to clean up this unfortunate legacy of pollution in Manati," said E.P.A. Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. "It is imperative that this land is cleaned up to ensure that public health and the environment are protected."
In 2003, a fire at the Location destroyed a former main warehouse and ruined a building next to it. A drainage ditch of approximately 5 feet in depth and 275 feet in length, collects storm water from the western portion of the Location and empties into a natural on-site depression, which contaminates the groundwater.
Residents of Manatà are currently connected to safe sources of drinking water from other municipal water supplies in the region. The Puerto Rico Land Authority owned and operated the Location from 1954 to 1996, where pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers were handled. The investigation was conducted and paid for by the EPA.
The E.P.A. held a public meeting in Manati, P.R. on August 18, 2015 and accepted public comments for 30 days, and considered public input before finalizing the plan.
The E.P.A. will excavate and treat the most heavily contaminated soil - approximately 8,800 cubic yards-using a technology that heats the material so that contaminants can be pulled out and captured. After treatment, the soil will be disposed of at approved facilities. The excavated areas will then be backfilled with clean fill and soil. Additionally, areas with deeper soil contamination residues, at depths greater than ten feet, will be covered to reduce the chance of exposure. The area will be seeded so that vegetation can grow.
During soil cleanup activities, monitoring, testing and further studies will be conducted to ensure the safety of the community and the effectiveness of the cleanup. The E.P.A. will conduct a review every 5 years to monitor the site. A study to address the groundwater is ongoing.
The record of decision will be accessible at: http://semspub.epa.gov/src/document/02/372866
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