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Revised Groundwater Clean Up Method for Kingston, N.H. Superfund Site

Release Date: 10/11/2007
Contact Information: Pam Harting-Barrat, (617) 918-1318

(Boston, Mass. – October 11, 2007) – EPA has amended the groundwater clean up methods called for in the ongoing work to address contamination at the Ottati and Goss/Great Lakes Container Corp. Superfund site, located in Kingston, N.H.

The original approved remedial action for the Site was documented in a “Record of Decision” in Jan. 1987. At that time, EPA called for work at the site including: excavating approximately 19,000 cubic yards of soil to be treated on Site using incineration and thermal aeration; mitigating groundwater contamination by extraction, treatment, and re-injection of the treated groundwater; demolition and disposal of above-ground and below-ground structures including a building, utilities, and underground storage tanks; creating a soil cover; and conducting long-term monitoring of the Site.

Based on information and data generated since 1987, and after the careful study of alternative groundwater cleanup technologies, EPA has concluded that in-situ chemical oxidation is a better approach to cleaning the groundwater at the Site.

All of the cleanup activities required by the 1987 decision and subsequent decision documents have been completed, with the exception of the extraction and treatment of contaminated groundwater. EPA’s amended groundwater clean up remedy includes:
- Injecting an oxidizing agent directly into the groundwater to destroy or reduce the organic contaminants to safe levels.
- Installing monitoring wells at the Site and on portions of abutting properties to evaluate the progress of the groundwater cleanup.
- Placing restrictions on land and groundwater use at the Site and on portions of abutting properties until the contaminants in the groundwater have been destroyed or reduced to safe levels.

The amended groundwater clean up plan will protect human health and the environment. The revised plan also fully complies with federal and state requirements that are applicable or relevant and appropriate to the remedial action; is cost-effective; and utilizes permanent solutions and alternative treatment technologies to the maximum extent practicable. The State of New Hampshire has also reviewed and approved the amended groundwater clean up plan.

More information on the Ottati and Goss Superfund site (https://www.epa.gov/region1/superfund/sites/o&g)

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