U S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 10
JULY 1999
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is seeking comments on alternatives for clean-
ing up remaining contamination at the Palermo
Wellfield Groundwater Contamination site. The
attached document, called a Proposed Plan,
contains more information on the various
cleanup alternatives. All comments received
during the public comment period, from August
6,1999 to September 6,1999 will be considered
before EPA chooses a final action for the site.
You are encouraged to send written comments
to:
Bob Kievit, Project Manager
U.S. EPA/Washington Operations Office
P.O. Box 47600
Lacey, Washington 98504
THE CONTAMINANTS
TCE and PCE are common chlorinated organic
solvents that are used for metal degreasing,
solvent extraction, dry cleaning, and as a fumi-
gant. TCE and PCE belong to a family of chemi-
cals known as volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) which move easily through the environ-
ment and may be harmful to people who are
exposed to them. Potential health problems
from exposure depend on a variety of things,
including how the chemical entered the body,
how long and how often you have been ex-
posed, and how sensitive you are to its effect.
ERA'S RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVES
For Groundwater Contamination
The air stripping treatment system at the
Palermo Wellfield, designed and constructed by
EPA, began operating and was turned over to
the city of Tumwater in March 1999. The city
then assumed responsibility for operation and
maintenance of the system. The recommended
alternative for responding to the threats posed
by contaminated groundwater is continued
operation of the air stripping treatment system.
EPA will hold a public meeting to discuss all
of the alternatives. Verbal and written
comments will also be accepted at the
meeting to be held:
August 17,1999 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
at Tumwater City Hall
Training Room
555 Israel Road SW
Tumwater, Washington
For Soil Contamination at Southgate Mall
The soil vapor extraction system, installed to
remove a source of tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
from beneath the Southgate Mall area near
Southgate cleaners, has removed approximately
410 pounds of PCE. EPA recommends that the
operation of the system continue until soils no
longer leach PCE at levels of concern, to prevent
further groundwater contamination.
For Surface Water and Indoor Air
The recommended alternative for surface water
and indoor air problems is to install a french
drain to collect groundwater seepage at the
base of Palermo bluff so that water will not
collect in crawl spaces of homes in the Palermo
Valley. This water will be routed to the golf
course where it will be agitated by two surface
aerators to remove the contaminants. This
treatment structure will look like a vigorously
bubbling pond with two fountains. Treated
water would drain through the existing storm
water ditch system, eventually discharging to
the Deschutes River.
Other Alternatives
Other alternatives evaluated range from taking
no action; to using a pump-and-treat system to
clean groundwater; to planting trees in the area
of ponding surface water.
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For
Documents concerning the site are available for your review at: The Information Repository located
at the Tumwater Public Library, 7023 New Market Street and EPA's Washington Operation Office,
300 Desmond Drive SE in Lacey.
If you have questions, please contact:
Kievit, EPA Remedial Project Manager at (360) 753-9014
Packard, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator at (206)553-0247
EPA can also be reached by calling toll-free 1-800-424-4372
To ensure effective communication with everyone, additional services can be made available to persons with
disabilities by contacting one of the numbers listed above.
The Palermo Wellfield, located just east of Interstate 5
near the intersection of TrosperRoad and Capitol
Boulevard, consists of six wells that provide up to 50%
of the drinking water for the city of Tumwater. In 1993,
routine sampling of the Palermo Wellfield detected the
solvent trichloroethylene (TCE) in three of the city wells.
The city removed the three contaminated wells from
service and replaced them with two new drinking water
wells at another location.
The Washington State Department of Ecology identified
possible sources of the contamination during a prelimi-
nary investigation. At the same time, the city traced a
plume of contamination flowing from west to east.
The Palermo Wellfield site was added to EPA's National
Priorities List (NPL) of contaminated sites identified for
potential long-term cleanup on April 1,1997. Further
investigations revealed the presence of TCE and PCE
in soil and groundwater at the site. TCE and PCE were
found near Interstate 5 (I-5) and Trosper Road in
groundwater that flows east toward the Palermo
Wellfield.
The highest levels of TCE in groundwater were de-
tected in subsurface groundwater east of the commer-
cial area in the residential Palermo Valley at the Rainier
Avenue and "O" Street intersection. The highest levels
of PCE in groundwater were detected below ground
surface at the Southgate Mall. Groundwater in these
locations is not being used as a drinking water source.
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 10 (ECO-081)
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle WA 98101
BULK RATE
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
U.S. EPA
Permit No. G-35
SUPERFUND FACT SHEET
Palermo Wellfield
Tumwater, Washington
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