From an Environmental Protection Agency news release
PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 1, 2020) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its commitment today to clean up six new sites – including the Blades Groundwater Site in Delaware – by adding them to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL).
“Cleaning up toxic sites and returning them to safe and productive reuse under the Superfund program is critical to EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “By adding these sites to the National Priorities List, we are moving forward in creating a healthier environment for the affected communities.”
The NPL is the list of hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for remedial action financed under the federal Superfund program.
“Superfund cleanup continues to be a top priority for EPA,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “Today’s listing ensures that resources are available to take the necessary cleanup actions to address the contamination and any potential impacts on the Blades community.”
EPA originally proposed the Blades Groundwater Site, located in Sussex County, Delaware, adjacent to the Town of Seaford, to the NPL on Nov. 8, 2019. A 60-day public comment period followed, during which no adverse comments to the proposal were received. The designation is now finalized.
EPA’s next step will be to conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility study to determine the nature and extent of contamination, assess potential threats to human health and the environment, and evaluate various cleanup options after the nature and extent of contamination is understood. Throughout the process, EPA will continue working closely with our State partner, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).
“Today’s listing by the EPA will allow us to continue our joint work, now with Superfund authority to investigate and remediate the contamination in municipal and residential wells in Blades,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “While we have successfully treated the water supply with carbon filtration, additional remedial action will maintain the safe drinking water and protect human health and the environment in this community.”
The Blades Groundwater Site is being listed because industrial chemicals which can cause adverse effects to human health and the environment have been found in groundwater that is used as a source of drinking water. The primary groundwater contaminants of concern in the Blades area are metals associated with electroplating compounds. Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) have also been found in groundwater and were identified in public and residential supply wells.
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