EPA Superfund Site

ABERDEEN CONTAMINATED GROUND WATER

NC | EPA ID NCN000407447

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of September 2024, the Aberdeen Groundwater Superfund site is considered “Human Exposure Not Controlled” (HENC) because of a newly identified drinking water exposure pathway that affects one residence. This exposure pathway is considered unacceptable based on EPA risk-based criteria because the concentration of trichloroethylene (TCE) in this residential well exceeds the cleanup level selected in the 2012 Interim Record of Decision for the Site. The site was previously categorized as Human Exposure Under Control (HEUC), but the current detection of drinking water that exceeds the cleanup level for TCE means that one residential property has active exposure and is not protected. During a recent well sampling event it was determined that several properties had elevated pesticide concentrations which are not attributed to the Site, but out of an abundance of caution the potentially responsible party (PRP) installed wellhead filtration on all impacted properties that were above acceptable risk. One residential property well was also found to have TCE that exceeded a health-based risk but the owner has refused wellhead filtration and connection to public water. The owner is also no longer taking calls or communicating with the PRP, State or EPA. EPA is developing a schedule to check in with the owner to monitor their decision on the well head protection.

Currently the EPA is developing a schedule to address this pathway that will include implementation of a more comprehensive groundwater monitoring program and starting an additional remedial investigation at the site to determine the full plume delineation and a determine a plan to address the site groundwater more effectively. If you are impacted by risks inherent at this site, you can reduce your risk by contacting EPA to ask for well sampling and providing access for sampling and filtration of your water well if it is impacted. EPA currently anticipates that human exposure will be under control by Dec 2027 because EPA is working with the state and PRP to continue to engage the property owner about well head filtration. Additionally, EPA will continue to document those efforts in working with the owner.