EPA Proposes Updated Groundwater Cleanup Plan for Hopewell Precision Superfund Site in Dutchess County, New York
NEW YORK - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing an updated groundwater cleanup plan for the Hopewell Precision Superfund site in Hopewell Junction, Dutchess County, New York. Based on years of groundwater data showing that contamination levels have been steadily declining, EPA is proposing a cleanup approach that relies on naturally occurring processes to reduce contamination over time, along with long-term groundwater monitoring and controls to prevent exposure to contaminated groundwater.
“The good news is all of our work at this site is paying off and we have gotten to the point where contamination levels are low enough that we can let natural processes take over, in tandem with EPA monitoring,” said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. “This proposal illustrates the effectiveness of the Superfund program in providing clean land for all Americans.”
Former manufacturing operations contaminated ground water at the site with volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. EPA has already addressed impacted drinking water wells by connecting affected homes to the public water supply. Under the proposed plan, EPA will continue to monitor groundwater and maintain protections that require connection to the municipal public water system, limit use of nonmunicipal water sources, and require periodic testing for private water sources outside the municipal system.
EPA groundwater studies have found that concentrations have steadily declined. Initially, bioremediation was considered as part of the cleanup plan, but it was postponed so EPA could continue monitoring groundwater trends. Based on years of data showing significant reduction in contamination, EPA has now determined that bioremediation is not needed. Naturally occurring processes will restore groundwater over a similar timeframe as the original approach, while maintaining protection for the community.
Based on these findings, EPA determined that we no longer need to use bioremediation and that natural processes can restore groundwater over a similar timeframe as the original cleanup approach, while maintaining protection for the community.
EPA is accepting public comments on the proposed plan for 30 days, beginning July 29. The public may submit written comments to Ashley Similo, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2890 Woodbridge Avenue, Building 205, Bay B, Edison, NJ 08837 or by email to similo.ashley@epa.gov.
EPA will hold a virtual public meeting via Zoom to discuss the proposed cleanup plan and receive public comments on August 4 at 6:00 p.m. To register for the meeting, please use the following link: http://bit.ly/4aXduHi.
The proposed plan and supporting documents will be available on the Hopewell Precision Superfund site profile page.
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