The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed that no further cleanup is needed at the Hormigas Groundwater Superfund site in Caguas and Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico. The site was added to the Superfund list because solvents were found in a public drinking water supply well, which is no longer in use. The community’s current drinking water supply is monitored regularly to ensure the water quality meets drinking water standards and is safe to consume.
EPA will hold a public meeting Aug. 3, 2016, at 6 p.m. to explain the proposed plan. The meeting will be held at the Centro Comunal El Mirador, PR 785 Km 3.5, Hormigas Sector, Cañaboncito Ward, Caguas, Puerto Rico. Written comments will be accepted until Aug. 19, 2016; however, the public can request a 30-day extension of the public comment period.
The former Hormigas public water system had two wells—Eufracia and Hormigas—and provided drinking water to more than 5,000 people in Caguas and Aguas Buenas. In 2006, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) detected a level of a contaminant known as Tetrachloroethylen (PCE) in one of the two wells (Eufracia) that was above the federal drinking water standards. PRASA closed the Hormigas water system in 2009 and connected residents to a different public water supply. EPA collected more samples from the Eufracia well in 2009, and the results confirmed the presence of PCE. Two additional contaminants (Trichloroethylene and cis-1,2-dichloroethylene) were also detected in the Eufracia well.
Since the site was added to the Superfund list in 2011, EPA conducted further assessments. EPA has not identified any areas of soil or groundwater contamination that would pose a risk to human health or the environment, since the groundwater is not being used as a water supply. Based on the data collected and EPA evaluation, EPA does not believe any further cleanup action is needed at the site. To view the proposed cleanup plan, visit www.epa.gov/superfund/hormigas-ground-water-plume.
Written comments may be sent to:
Adalberto Bosque, Ph.D., M.B.A., Remedial Project Manager
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
City View Plaza II, Suite 7000, 48 RD, 165 Km. 1.2
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00968-8069
787.977.5825
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
