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Site Type: Long Term/National Priorities List (NPL)  |
WELLS G & H |
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| Woburn, Massachusetts |
Middlesex County
| Street Address: | ABERJONA RIVER VALLEY |
| Zip Code: | 01801 |
Congressional
District(s): |
07 |
| EPA ID #: | MAD980732168 |
| Site ID #: | 0100749 |
| Site Aliases: |
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| Site Responsibility: | Federal, Potentially Responsible Parties |
| NPL LISTING HISTORY |
| Proposed Date | 12/30/1982 |
| Final Date | 09/08/1983 |
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Site Description
Wells G & H were two municipal wells developed in 1964 and 1967 to supplement the water supply of the City of Woburn. The wells supplied 30 percent of the city's drinking water. In 1979, city police discovered several 55-gallon drums of industrial waste abandoned on a vacant lot near the wells; subsequently these drums were removed. As a result of this discovery, the nearby wells were tested and found to be contaminated. Both of the wells were shut down in 1979 and a supplemental water supply arranged for the city. Five separate properties on the site were found to be the contributing sources of contamination to the aquifer that supplied the water to these two municipal wells. The total Superfund site covers an area of 330 acres. The population of Woburn is approximately 36,600 people. The area surrounding the site is predominantly light industrial and residential. Some nonresidential properties involved in the cleanup are fenced to limit unauthorized access. The site includes commercial and industrial parks, as well as recreational areas and some residential gardens. The Aberjona River flows through the middle of the site. Surface water run-off from the site is directed through drainage systems toward the river and its tributaries.
Threats and Contaminants
The groundwater is contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE). Sediments in the Aberjona River are contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals such as arsenic, copper, chromium, mercury, lead, and zinc. Soil is contaminated with PAHs, polychlorinated biphynels (PCBs), VOCs, and pesticides. People are at risk if they accidentally touch or swallow contaminated groundwater, soil, or sediments in the Aberjona River. The site is located on land that serves as a recharge area for the aquifer from which the Woburn Municipal Wells G & H historically drew water.
Cleanup Approach
The site is being addressed in four stages: immediate actions and three long-term remedial phases focusing on source control and contaminant migration, and cleanup of the aquifer and the Aberjona River.
Response Action Status
| Immediate Actions | One of the potentially responsible parties for site contamination secured their own property with a fence and a guard. Drums containing PCB sludge and soil were removed to an approved facility. One of the potentially responsible parties was required to investigate and remove the pure PCE found in a well on their property. |
| Source Control and Contaminant Migration, Operable Unit 1 | Under the 1989 Record of Decision (ROD), EPA's selected remedy included excavating and incinerating 2,100 cubic yards of contaminated soils on site and backfilling the excavated areas; treating additional contaminated soil in place by extracting soil vapors for treatment and pumping contaminated groundwater from the five source areas and removing the contaminants for treatment. Under the 1991 Consent Decree, EPA negotiated with the potentially responsible parties from four of the five source area properties to design and construct the remedy at each of their properties. Currently, over 260 million gallons of groundwater has been pumped from the contaminated aquifer and treated. Approximately 200 tons of contaminated soil has been removed from the site. Treatment technologies conducted on site have included UV-chemical oxidation, catalytic oxidation and carbon adsorption. No on-site incineration was ever performed. Only low-level volatile organic contaminants remain in soil. A soil vapor extraction system is being used to treat that soil in-place.
In March 2003, EPA negotiated an Administrative Order by Consent (AOC) with the potentially responsible party for the fifth source area for the removal of PCB contaminated soils from the Former Drum Disposal Area (FDDA) portion of their property (west side of river). In 2003, Olympia removed 56 cubic yards of soils contaminated with PCBs, and 5 cubic yards of soils contaminated with PAHs (originally identified in the 1989 ROD). In June 2004, EPA negotiated another AOC with the potentially responsible party of the fifth source area for the cleanup of subsurface soils contaminated with TCE. Under the 2004 AOC, TCE contaminated subsurface soils will be treated in place at the Former Drum Disposal Area by injecting sodium permanganate, a material which destroys TCE by chemical reaction (the treatment is also known as in-situ chemical oxidation), monitor the progress of treatment, document successful cleanup, and re-vegetate and grade the treatment area. |
| Central Area, Operable Unit 2 | Three of the five potentially responsible parties agreed to investigate the Central Area and the underlying aquifer. Three industrial properties, known as the Southwest Properties (Murphy Waste Oil property, former Whitney Barrel property, and former Aberjona Auto Parts property), are called out as a focus for additional assessment within the Central Area. In February 2006, EPA prepared and released the revised Southwest Properties Baseline Risk Assessment (Southwest BRA). A summary of the contaminants primarily driving risks at the Southwest Properties are summarized as follows: PCBs, Hydrocarbons and Chlorodanes in soil drive human health risks at the former Whitney Barrel property; PCBs in sediments drive human health risks at the Murphy Wetland (includes portions of Murphy Waste Oil and Whitney Barrel properties) and PCBs, Chromium and Lead drive ecological risks at the Murphy Wetland; and TCE, Vinyl Chloride and 1,1,2-Trichloroethane drive human health risks in groundwater throughout the Southwest Properties. A more detailed description of risks can be found in Section 3, 4 and 5 of the Southwest BRA. |
| Aberjona River Study, Operable Unit 3 | The Industri-plex Superfund Site is situated in North Woburn, approximately 1 mile upstream of the Wells G&H Superfund Site. The two Superfund sites are hydraulically connected by the Aberjona River, which begins in Reading, flows south through the Industri-Plex Site, under Route 128, through Wells G&H Site, and continues south eventually discharging into the Mystic Lakes. EPA completed historical aerial analyses of the Industri-plex Superfund Site Operable Unit 2 (North of Route 128) and Wells G&H Superfund Site Operable Unit 3 Aberjona River Study (South of Route 128) in 1998 and 2002, respectively, and evaluated preliminary sediment and surface water data from Industri-plex to the Mystic Lakes. EPA found that the primary contaminants of concerns in surface water and sediments are metals in both the North and South of Route 128. Based upon this information, EPA decided to merge the Wells G&H OU-3, Aberjona River Study data, with the Industri-Plex OU-2 Multiple Source Groundwater Response Plan (MSGRP), and form one comprehensive RI/FS for the entire river system from the Industri-Plex Site to the Mystic Lakes (approximately 6 miles of river). In September 2004, EPA completed the Wells G&H OU-3 Revised Aberjona River Study Baseline Risk Assessment, which identifies potential human health and ecological risks along Wells G&H 38 acre wetland (River Reach 1) and the former Cranberry Bog (portion of River Reach 2) immediately south of the Wells G&H Site due to potential exposures to sediments contaminated with metals (e.g. arsenic).
In March 2005, EPA completed the Industri-Plex OU-2 (including Wells G&H OU-3) MSGRP RI. This comprehensive RI describes the contamination and risks along the Halls Brook Holding Area and Aberjona River from Industri-Plex Site to the Mystic Lakes, and how contamination is migrating along the river system. The March 2005 RI merged and refined the baseline risk assessments from Industri-plex to the Mystic Lakes along the Aberjona River. The following summarizes the baseline risks presented to the public and environment: Arsenic and benzene (as well as ammonia) plumes beneath the Industri-plex OU-1 Superfund Site boundary (groundwater) may cause future health risks to people who might come in contact with the water (future industrial/ commercial/ construction worker) within Reach 0; Arsenic and benzene (as well as ammonia) plumes from Industri-plex OU-1 contribute to significant environmental risks in the HBHA Pond sediment and deep surface water within Reach 0; High concentrations of arsenic in both surface and deep soils in the Former Mishawum Lake Bed area may cause future health risk to people who come in contact with the soils within Reach 0; High concentrations of arsenic in shoreline sediments in three distinct areas along the Wells G&H Wetland and Cranberry Bog Conservation Area present a current and/or future health risk to people recreating along the shoreline (east side of the 38 acre Wells G&H wetland within Reach 1 near former production well H, west side of the 38 acre Wells G&H wetland within Reach 1 near the railroad tracks and Olympia Source Area Property, and west-central area of the Cranberry Bog Conservation Area within upper Reach 2); and High concentrations of arsenic in deeper interior wetland sediments presents a future risk to people who might come in contact with the sediments (future dredger/ construction worker) within Reach 0 and 1.
In June 2005, EPA prepared and released the Industri-plex OU-2 (including Wells G&H OU-3) Feasibility Study, and Proposed Plan. Public comment period was held and extended from July 1, 2005 - August 31, 2005. In October, EPA prepared and released a Technical Memorandum - Evaluation of Ammonia and Supplemental Soil Data, a Fact Sheet Supplementing the June 2005 Proposed Plan, and re-opened the public comment period from October 20, 2005 to November 18, 2005. Copies of all the above documents are attached below under the "Reports and Studies" links.
On January 31, 2006, EPA prepared and released Industri-plex OU-2 Record of Decision. The major components to the Industri-plex OU-2 remedy include:
• Dredging and off-site disposal of contaminated sediments in the southern portion of the HBHA Pond; dredging and off-site disposal of contaminated near shore sediments at the Wells G&H Wetland and Cranberry Bog Conservation Area; and restoration of all disturbed areas. This component will address sediments posing unacceptable human health risks for near shore sediments and unacceptable ecological risks for the southern portion of HBHA Pond.
• Use of the northern portion of HBHA Pond as a sediment retention area (primary and secondary treatment cells) that will intercept contaminated groundwater plumes (including arsenic, benzene, ammonia, 1,2-dichloroethane, trichloroethene, naphthalene) from Industri-plex OU-1, treat/sequester contaminants of concern (including arsenic, benzene, ammonia), and minimize downstream migration of contaminants (including arsenic, benzene, ammonia). The primary treatment cell will intercept the contaminated groundwater plumes discharging in the HBHA Pond. The effluent from northern portion of the HBHA Pond (secondary treatment cell outlet) will serve as the surface water compliance boundary, and achieve National Recommended Water Quality Criteria (NRWQC). Sediments which accumulate in the northern portion of the HBHA Pond will be periodically dredged and sent off-site for disposal. Portions of storm water from Halls Brook, which may interfere with the natural treatment processes occurring within the northern portion of the HBHA Pond, will be diverted to the southern portion of HBHA Pond.
• If necessary, In-situ Enhanced Bioremediation of contaminated groundwater plumes (e.g., benzene) at the West Hide Pile (WHP).
• Construction of an impermeable cap to line stream channels (e.g. New Boston Street Drainway), and to prevent the discharge of contaminated groundwater plumes, contamination of stream sediments, downstream migration of contaminants of concern, and potential impacts to other components of the selected remedy.
• Construction of a permeable cap to prevent contaminated soil erosion (e.g. Area A6), downstream migration of contaminants of concern, and potential impacts to other components of the selected remedy.
• Establishing institutional controls to restrict contact with soils, groundwater, or deeper interior wetland sediments with concentrations above cleanup standards and protect the remedy.
• Construction of compensatory wetlands for any loss of wetland functions and values associated with the selected remedy (e.g. northern portion of HBHA Pond, Halls Brook storm water by-pass, capped stream channels) nearby in the watershed.
• Long-term monitoring of the groundwater, surface water, and sediments, and periodic Five-year Reviews of the remedy.
All the above "Groundwater" response actions are associated with Industri-plex Operable Unit 2 under the 2006 Record of Decision, which is attached below under "Decision Documents" links.
See Industri-plex Superfund Site Update for further information and links. |
| Enforcement Highlights | EPA signed a Consent Decree with the potentially responsible parties in 1991. Four potentially responsible parties agreed to conduct the remedy at their respective properties (addressing four of the five source area properties at the Site). Three of the potentially responsible parties agreed to conduct a study of contamination in the aquifer beneath the Central Area of the site and to assess if other sources exist.
The potentially responsible party for the fifth source area removed 12 and 5 drums under Administrative Orders by Consent (AOC) in 1986 and 1987, respectively. This area of the property is known as the Former Drum Disposal Area (FDDA). In 2003, the potentially responsible party removed approximately 56 cubic yards of PCB contaminated soils from the FDDA under a third AOC, as well as approximately 5 cubic yards of soils contaminated with PAHs. In 2004, the potentially responsible party implemented an EPA approved work plan to treat subsurface soils contaminated with TCE at the FDDA under a fourth AOC.
In September 2006, EPA issued special notice letters to potentially responsible parties for the cleanup of Industri-plex OU-2 (including Wells G&H OU-3) in accordance with the January 2006 Record of Decision. In February 2008, EPA and U.S. Department of Justice lodged the Industri-plex OU-2 Consent Decree with Bayer CropScience and Pharmacia Corporation. On November 24, 2008, U.S. District Court entered the Industri-plex OU-2 Consent Decree. |
Environmental Progress
Millions of gallons of contaminated groundwater has been cleaned up. Tons of contaminated soil has been removed from the site for treatment. Treatment of groundwater and low-level soil contamination continues. Fencing of one portion of the Wells G & H site has reduced the potential for exposure to hazardous materials at the site while final cleanup activities are being conducted.
Current Site Status
Source Control and Contaminant Migration: Remedial action is well underway in Operable Unit 1. Three groundwater pump-and-treat systems draw contaminated groundwater from the aquifer at three of the source area properties. Two of the systems are in their fourteenth year of operation and treat groundwater using carbon adsorption. The third system, in its eighth year of operation, uses a combined pump-and-treat/air sparging/ soil vapor extraction system with carbon adsorption treatment. Another soil vapor extraction system was operated at the fourth source area property for over a year and successfully cleaned up contaminated soil. Groundwater in that area is being monitored to determine if additional cleanup is needed. In addition to the continuation of cleanup at these four source area properties, PCBs and PAHs contaminated soils were removed from the fifth source area property in 2003. In 2004, EPA reached an agreement with the owner of the fifth source area property to cleanup subsurface soils contaminated with TCE at the Former Drum Disposal Area of the property. This TCE subsurface soil cleanup continues today. In 2004, EPA also completed a Five Year Review of the remedy selected under the 1989 ROD and concluded that selected remedy remains protective of human health and the environment. The Five Year Review also identified various issues which need to be addressed to ensure long term protection. The next Five Year Review will be completed by September 2009.
Central Area Aquifer: In February 2006, EPA prepared and released the revised Southwest Properties Baseline Risk Assessment (BRA). In 2009, EPA will coordinate with the potential responsible parties regarding the remaining Central Area aquifer RI/FS, including the Agency's preparation of a future baseline risk assessment.
Aberjona River Study: EPA merged Wells G&H OU-3 Aberjona River Study with the Industri-plex OU-2 comprehensive RI/FS from Industri-plex to the Mystic Lakes. In January 2006, EPA prepared a Record of Decision for Industri-plex OU-2 (including Wells G&H OU-3 Aberjona River Study). In February 2008, EPA and U.S. Department of Justice lodged the Industri-plex OU-2 Consent Decree with Bayer CropScience and Pharmacia Corporation. On November 24, 2008, U.S. District Court entered the Industri-plex OU-2 Consent Decree. (See also the Industri-Plex site)
Site Photos
Links to Other Site Information
Newsletters & Press Releases:
Federal Register Notices:
Administrative Records:
Reports and Studies:
Five Year Review Report, August 4, 1999 (559KB)  | | |
| EPA Responses to Comments on the June 2003 Aberjona River Study, Baseline Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment, June 28, 2004 (2,778KB) | | |
| Baseline Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment Report, Southwest Properties, Operable Unit 2, February 2006, (opening file is 24.40 MB with links to 3 other PDF files) | | |
| Second Five Year Review Report, September 30, 2004 (14. 18 MB) | | |
| Baseline Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment Report, Aberjona River Study, September 2004 (opening file is 1.5 MB with links to external PDF files) | | |
| Industri-Plex Site Multiple Source Groundwater Response Plan Remedial Investigation Report, Operable Unit 2, March 2005 (opening file is 3,551KB with links to 217 additional PDF files) | | |
| Presentation on the Industri-Plex OU-2 MSGRP Comprehensive Remedial Investigation, April 28, 2005 (6.8 MB) | | |
| Draft Final Feasibility Study (FS) Report, June 2005 (opening file is 1.2MB with link to nine additional PDF files)
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| Proposed Plan, Industri-Plex OU 02 (including Wells G & H OU 03), June 2005 (2.2 MB) | | |
| Public Meeting Presentation on Industri-Plex Operable Unit 02 (including Wells G & H Operable Unit 03) Proposed Plan, June 30, 2005 (2.4 MB) | | |
| Fact Sheet Supplementing the June 2005 Proposed Plan, October 2005 (1.8MB) | | |
| Third Five Year Review Report, September 24, 2009 (10.3 MB) | | |
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Decision Documents:
Other Links:
Site Repositories
Woburn Public Library, 45 Pleasant Street, Woburn, MA 01801
EPA New England Records Center, One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114 (617) 918-1440
Contacts
| EPA Remedial Project Manager: | Joseph LeMay |
| Address: | |
| Phone #: | (617) 918-1323 |
| E-Mail Address: | Lemay.Joe@epa.gov |
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| EPA Community Involvement Coordinator: | Doug Gutro |
| Address: | |
| Phone #: | (617) 918-1021 |
| E-Mail Address: | Gutro.Doug@epa.gov |
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