Vienna Wells Location in Vienna, Mo., Added to Superfund’s National Priorities List; Allows E.P.A. to Investigate Water Contamination

(Kansas City, Kan., Sept. 27, 2010) - The E.P.A. today announced its decision to place the Vienna Wells location in Vienna, Mo., on the federal Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL is a list of the nation's hazardous waste sites with the highest priority for cleanup. This location is eligible for extensive, long-term response action money authorized by Congress under the Superfund program.

The Vienna Wells location includes 3 public drinking water wells contaminated with tetrachloroethylene (PCE). NPL status allows E.P.A. to fund an investigation into the source and extent of groundwater contamination at the location and to determine if any possible parties are responsible for the contamination.

The City of Vienna has secured backing to install water decontamination technology known as an air stripper system. When the system becomes operational, it will remove the PCE from drinking water before it reaches the public.

The Vienna location was suggested for NPL listing in March 2010, which was followed by a 60-day public review period. E.P.A. did not gain any comments on the proposal.

E.P.A. wants to help affected communities understand the technical information related to these sites. EPA's Technical Assistance Grant Plan provides up to $50,000 for a qualified citizens group to hire independent technical advisors. The advisors can help citizens interpret complex environmental data, understand location hazards, and critique various cleanup technologies. For additional information about the Technical Assistance Grant Program, contact Dianna Whitaker at 913-551-7598 or [email protected].

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