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Peach Orchard Road PCE Ground Water Plume
National Information
Additional Resources
- Site Cleanup Terms - can be found in EPA's glossary
- EPA Guides to Cleanup Technologies
- Superfund Community Involvement (PDF) (17 pp, 130K, About PDF)
Site Summary Profile
EPA ID: GAN000407449Location: Augusta, Richmond County, GA
Lat/Long: 33.421170, -082.015130
Congressional District: 12
NPL Status: Proposed: 04/27/05; Final: 09/14/05
Affected Media: Ground water and Soil
Cleanup Status: Cleanup activities are underway
Human Exposure Under Control: Yes
Groundwater Migration Under Control: No
Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Use: No
Site Reuse/Redevelopment: In continued use
Site Manager: Giezelle Bennett (bennett.giezelle@epa.gov)
Current Site Status
The Peach Orchard Road PCE Groundwater Plume site includes an area of ground water contamination in a City of Augusta Utilities Department well field in the southern part of Augusta, Georgia. EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 2005 because of contaminated ground water and soil. EPA and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (Georgia EPD) have investigated site conditions and taken steps to clean up the site in order to protect people and the environment from contamination. By investigating and cleaning up the site, EPA and Georgia EPD continue to protect people and the environment from site contamination.
Site Location and Background
The site includes a 350-acre area of ground water contamination that has affected one of three Augusta Utilities Department well fields in the southern part of Augusta, Georgia. The site is located in a residential and commercial area that includes multiple active and formerly active dry cleaning facilities. Local neighborhoods include low-income and minority residents. Several schools are located above the contaminated ground water but have not been affected by the contamination.
In 2005, EPA listed the site on the NPL. Residential and commercial land uses at the site are ongoing.
Threats and Contaminants
Site investigations found contamination in ground water and soil that could potentially harm people in the area. Contaminants of concern include tetrachloroethylene (also known as PCE or PERC), trichloroethylene and cis 1,2-dichloroethene.
The primary way people could encounter site-related contamination is through contact with contaminated ground water. EPA has closed all affected public water supply wells and the City of Augusta prohibits the installation of private wells in the area. EPA is assessing whether residents or workers might be at risk from harmful ground water vapor intrusion in buildings. Contamination affected soil; however, people are not at risk of coming into contact with contaminated soil.
Investigation and Cleanup Responsibility / Oversight
EPA leads site investigation and cleanup activities in cooperation with Georgia EPD.
Site Cleanup Plan
In 2007, EPA issued a cleanup plan (a Record of Decision, or ROD) for the site. The plan included the following activities:
- Treating ground water on site through injecting chemicals called oxidants into ground water and subsurface soil to break down contaminants.
- Installing chemical injection points or temporary wells in the source area.
- Sampling and analyzing ground water collected from existing public drinking water wells and monitoring wells.
- Using monitored natural attenuation to address ground water contamination outside of the source area.
- Conducting Five-Year Reviews over the course of a 30-year period.
- Placing institutional controls on the site.
An amended ROD was issued in March 2013 that addressed soil contamination discovered during the remedial design of the groundwater remedy. Major cleanup elements include:
- SVE of the contaminated soil at One-Hour Cleanerizing, former Palmer’s Cleaners and K&D Dry Cleaners.
- Treatment of the extracted vapor using Vapor-phase GAC treatment system.
- Excavation of approximately 422 yd3 of contaminated soil in the vacant lot located southeast of the former Palmer’s Cleaners.
- Transport and disposal of excavated material in a suitable landfill.
Cleanup Progress
A fund-lead remedial investigation and feasibility study was completed in September 2007. The RI found that four of the nine identified dry cleaners contributed to PCE contamination in the groundwater. The ROD, signed in September 2007, designated chemical oxidation of contaminated groundwater as the remedy. The Remedial Design began in September 2009 and was completed in 2011. The cleanup of the soil and groundwater will begin in the summer of 2013.
Enforcement Activities
EPA has been unable to identify any viable potentially responsible parties for the site. EPA is using federal funds for site cleanup activities.
The ROD online provides additional information on specific legal agreements for the site.
Community Involvement
EPA is working with the community and its state partner to develop a long-term cleanup plan for the site, reflecting the Agency’s commitment to safe, healthy communities and environmental protection. Community engagement and public outreach are core components of EPA program activities.
EPA is conducting a range of community involvement activities to solicit community input and to make sure the public remains informed about site activities throughout the cleanup process. Outreach efforts include public notices, interviews and public meetings.
Future Work
Cleanup activities for the site are scheduled to begin in 2013.
Additional Information
EPA keeps additional site documents and information in a site information repository at the location below. EPA also posts site documents, when available, on EPA’s CERCLIS Site Profile page. For documents not available on the website, please contact the Region 4 Freedom of Information Office.
Site Repository
Maxwell Library
1927 Lumpkin Road
Augusta, GA 28205