2009 Demonstration Project
Wells G&H:
Woburn, Massachusetts
THE SITE: The Wells G&H Superfund Site consists of approximately
330 acres in east Woburn, Massachusetts, including the Aberjona River
and land contributing to two former municipal water wells: Well G and
Well H. The wells were installed in 1964 and 1967, respectively, and
once supplied approximately 30% of the City of Woburn's drinking
water. In 1979, the discovery of abandoned industrial waste near the
wells prompted testing for contamination. The testing revealed volatile
organic compound (VOC) contamination, and the wells were
immediately shut down. Site investigations found VOC contamination
in the ground water and soils, as well as heavy metal contamination in
sediments along the Aberjona River.
The wells were located on a wooded parcel of municipal land
surrounded by five major source areas of contamination. Ongoing
remedial activities at the site include ground water extraction and
treatment, soil vapor extraction, excavation of some contaminated soils
for off-site disposal, and on-site treatment of the remaining contaminated
soils.
THE OPPORTUNITY: In September of 2000, the City of Woburn
received a $55,000 grant under the U.S. EPA's Superfund
Redevelopment Initiative Program (SRI). These funds were matched by
a $45,000 contribution from three of the identified Potentially
Responsible Parties (PRPs). The City used the funds to develop a
comprehensive Land Use Plan outlining the City's goals for the eventual
reuse of the land. The final Land Use Plan was completed in 2005 and
identified three primary properties that were of special interest to the
City and would be best suited for rapid reuse: 1) the wooded area near
the Aberjona River that originally contained the municipal wells, 2) the
W.R. Grace property in the Northeast corner of the Site, and 3) the
Aberjona Auto Parts property in the Southwest corner of the Site. The
City is anxious to return these areas to productive use.
THE BARRIERS: The Aberjona Auto Parts property is the site of a
former automobile dismantling facility with only low levels of chemical
Abandoned vehicles at the former Aberjona
Auto Parts property before redevelopment
Barriers: Ground water
contamination and refuse preventing
construction
Solution: Land acquisition by local
private developer interested in a new
business venture and making a civic
contribution to the community
New skating rink at the former Aberjona
Auto Parts property
Before: Contaminated, abandoned
automobile dismantling facility and
auto parts shop
After: Community skating rink,
home to local sports teams
United States
Environmental Pn
I Agency
Superfund Redevelopment Initiati
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contamination in shallow ground water. EPA determined that the levels of soil and shallow ground water
contamination at the Aberjona Auto Parts property were below human health risk for skin contact, but the
ground water did not meet drinking water standards.
THE SOLUTION: In 2002, the Aberjona Auto Parts property was purchased. Instead of continuing previous
site operations, the new owner approached the Woburn Advisory Committee about redeveloping the site in a
way that would directly benefit the community. The owner proposed building an ice skating rink to provide the
additional ice time needed by the local youth hockey teams. Given that the rink would rely on the use of
publicly-supplied water, this reuse could occur despite the presence of contaminated ground water. EPA worked
with the owner and the City to provide them with the information on the environmental conditions necessary to
support the planning and permitting processes. The City subsequently approved the project. According to
Region 1's Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator John Podgurski, "This is a case where effective
communication and cooperation between the EPA case team and the principal stakeholders in the
redevelopment effort were key in allowing a worthy community project to move forward."
THE SITE NOW: The Holland Arena ice skating rink was completed and opened for its first ice hockey
season in November of 2008. In addition to the rink, the City has proposed a recreational and ecological reuse
for the wooded area by the Aberjona River, including wildlife viewing platforms and hiking trails, after the
arsenic contaminated sediments in the area have been cleaned up by the upstream Superfund site. The building
at the WR Grace property was safely demolished in 2006 with EPA oversight, and presently marketed by WR
Grace for reuse. Remedial activities continue on other portions of the site and the City remains interested in
redevelopment as cleanup progresses and properties become available. Given the size of the site and close
proximity to highways, other future considerations may include commercial land uses.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Joseph LeMay, Remedial Project Manager, at (617)
918-1323 or lemay.j oe@epa.gov: or John Podgurski, Region 1 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator, at (617)
918-1028 or podgurski.iohn@epa.gov.
Aberjona Auto Parts
Wells G&H Superfund Site
erfund Redevelooment Initia
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