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Ravenswood Site Added to Superfund Hazardous Site List

Release Date: 9/23/2004
Contact Information: David Sternberg, (215) 814-5548

David Sternberg, (215) 814-5548

PHILADELPHIA -The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today added the Ravenswood PCE Groundwater Plume, Ravenswood, Jacksonville County, West Virginia to the Superfund national priorities list (NPL) of hazardous waste sites.

The NPL is a national list of sites where contaminants could impact public health or the environment. NPL sites are required to undergo a thorough assessment of the nature and extent of contamination prior to cleanup by EPA or the responsible parties.

The Ravenswood PCE groundwater plume site consists of a groundwater plume that has contaminated three of the five municipal wells that serve approximately 5,500 people in the City of Ravenswood and vicinity. All five municipal wells are located within an approximate three to four acre area to the north of the downtown area.

Two municipal drinking water wells have shown PCE contamination at concentrations in excess of federal drinking water standards. EPA has conducted an emergency removal that includes the installation of a new municipal well field. NPL listing will focus on the remediation of the PCE groundwater plume. PCE is a probable human carcinogen.

Documents related to the site will continue to be available for public review at the Jackson County Library located at 323 Virginia Street in Ravenswood.