EPA to hold public meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13 on proposal of Hockessin Groundwater Site to National Priorities List

DNREC and Delaware’s Division of Public Health will participate

DOVER – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with support from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), will hold a public meeting on the proposed listing of the Hockessin Groundwater Site to the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL is EPA’s list of sites eligible for remedial action financed under the federal Superfund program. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Hockessin Memorial Hall, at 610 Yorklyn Road, in Hockessin.

In 2002, DNREC took action to ensure that the public drinking water in the area – which is provided by the Artesian Water Company – is treated to remove contaminants and meets state and federal drinking water standards. Subsequently, DNREC requested additional assistance from EPA in 2016 to help fully investigate the area. The proposed listing will allow EPA to use Superfund authority and resources to work with DNREC to identify the sources of contamination and help resolve the groundwater concerns in the Hockessin area.

“Superfund cleanup in our communities continues to be a priority at EPA as we work to create a safer and healthier environment,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “This public hearing provides Hockessin-area residents a valuable opportunity to learn about the site and to provide comments on the proposed listing to the NPL.”

“Delaware values the collaboration with EPA on investigating the Hockessin Groundwater Site,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “The meeting on the proposed NPL listing offers reassurance to the Hockessin community that we will continue working together to identify the source for contaminants in the groundwater at the site.”

The primary groundwater contaminant of concern in the Hockessin area is tetrachloroethylene (PCE), most commonly used as a dry-cleaning solvent and industrial degreaser. PCE, a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) which can cause adverse human health effects, was identified in a commercial irrigation well, three residential wells, and several public supply wells in the Artesian Water Company’s Hockessin well field. DNREC’s previous actions included installing water treatment systems at the three residential properties impacted by the contamination.

DNREC is working with several potentially responsible parties, and has completed numerous environmental investigations and remedial efforts at sites of potential concern to help determine the extent and potential source(s) of the contamination.

EPA will discuss the proposed listing of the site to the NPL at the public meeting. Representatives from the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the Delaware Division of Public Health will join EPA and DNREC to answer health-related questions.

EPA has opened a public comment period through March 19. Comments can be submitted online at: http://www.regulations.gov or by mail sent to:

US EPA Docket Center
NPL Notice of Proposed Hockessin Groundwater Site
Docket ID # EPA-HQ-OLEM-2017-0604
Mail Code 28221T
Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20460

For residents with questions regarding the proposed listing, visit: www.epa.gov/superfund/hockessingroundwater or contact: EPA community involvement coordinator Alexander Mandell, 215-814-5517, or by email at: Mandell.Alexander@epa.gov .

For more information regarding the previous DNREC investigations at the Hockessin Groundwater Site, please visit
www.dnrec.delaware.gov/dwhs/SIRB/Pages/Hockessin-Ground-Water-Plume-Site.aspx or contact:
Timothy Ratsep, Administrator; Paul Will, Program Manager; or Christina Wirtz, Outreach Ombudsman
DNREC Site Investigation and Restoration Section
302-395-2600
Email: Timothy.Ratsep@delaware.gov; Paul.Will@delaware.gov or Christina.Wirtz@delaware.gov

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902
Roy Seneca, EPA Region 3 Press Office, seneca.roy@epa.gov, 215-814-5567

Vol. 48, No. 19

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Citizens Source Water Protection Committee to meet May 10 in Dover

DOVER – The Source Water Protection Citizens and Technical Advisory Committee (CTAC) of the Source Water Assessment and Protection Program will meet from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 10 in Conference Room 220 A&B of the Kent County Administrative Offices on Bay Road in Dover.

The agenda includes:

An update on recent source water projects and initiatives in Delaware;
A presentation by David Wunsch, State Geologist and Director of the Delaware Geological Survey, on Water Supply Issues in the Delaware River System;
A presentation by Scott Andres, senior hydrogeologist with the Delaware Geological Survey, on Delaware’s Groundwater and Surface Water Monitoring Infrastructure Improvements; and
A presentation by Andrew Homsey, GIS Services manager with the Water Resources Agency at the University of Delaware, on the updates to the surface water source water assessments being done for the City of Wilmington, City of Newark, and SUEZ Water in Delaware.

The Source Water Assessment and Protection Program is charged with delineating source water areas around all sources of public drinking water in the state, identifying all existing and potential sources of contamination within those areas and making the information available to the public.

For more information, including a full agenda for this CTAC meeting, please visit delawaresourcewater.org, or contact Program Manager Anita Beckel at 302-739-9945.

Vol. 47, No. 92

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DNREC reminds Delawareans to be ‘SepticSmart’ this week and take good care of their septic systems

DOVER – This week, Governor Jack Markell, DNREC Secretary David Small and DNREC’s Division of Water in partnership with the Delaware On-site Wastewater Recycling Association (DOWRA) are joining the EPA to promote national SepticSmart Week in Delaware by reminding residents about proper septic system care and maintenance, assisting local agencies with homeowner education and awareness, and educating local decision makers about infrastructure options to improve and sustain their communities.

In signing a proclamation declaring Sept. 19-23 SepticSmart Week in Delaware, Governor Markell encouraged residents, communities and municipalities to do their part in maintaining the septic systems connected to their homes, offices and businesses. “Residents and our environment benefit from properly designed, installed, operated and maintained septic systems, and in order to maximize these benefits, it takes teamwork between septic system owners, septic professionals and state and local regulators,” Governor Markell said.

“Proper septic system use and care are vital to protecting public health, preserving our groundwater, wetlands and waterways, and avoiding costly repairs that can result from neglect,” said Secretary Small. “With more than 70,000 septic systems in use treating wastewater from homes and businesses throughout Delaware, this week is an excellent opportunity to raise public awareness and remind residents to maintain their septic systems.”

DNREC’s Division of Water recommends these do’s and don’ts to be a responsible and successful septic system owner:

Have your septic system inspected and pumped every three years by a qualified professional, according to DNREC recommendations and permits.
Contact a DNREC-licensed Class E septic system contractor if you have a problem with your disposal system or suspect it may be failing.
Repair leaks and use water-efficient fixtures to avoid overloading your septic system.
Use soaps and detergents that are low-suds, biodegradable and low-phosphate or phosphate-free.
Discard non-biodegradable products, such as dental floss, disposable wipes and cat litter, in the trash instead of flushing them.
Avoid pouring harsh products, such as oils, grease, chemicals, paint and medications, down the drain; these products may disrupt the essential decomposition processes in your septic tank.
Do not use any additives in your septic system – additives are not allowed by DNREC septic regulations.
Maintain plants and vegetation near your septic system to ensure roots do not block drains.
Keep cars and heavy vehicles parked away from the septic tank and drainfield to avoid damaging or crushing its components.
Do not place sheds, decks or swimming pools over the existing drainfield or the spare (reserve) area.
Don’t climb into a septic tank or pump tank. Methane and hydrogen sulfide gases, which are present from the decomposition processes, may cause illness or death.
Prior to selling your house, have a Class H septic system inspection in accordance with DNREC regulations.

To learn more about septic system care and maintenance, visit Simply Septics: A Guide for Homeowners about Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems on the DNREC website, or contact the Division of Water at 302-739-9947 or 302-739-9948.

To learn more about the EPA’s SepticSmart Week campaign, visit www.epa.gov/septic/septicsmart-week-2016.

Founded in 1996, the Delaware On-site Wastewater Recycling Association (DOWRA) is Delaware’s local branch of the National On-site Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA). DOWRA represents professionals from all aspects of the on-site wastewater industry’s public and private sectors, including soils scientists, designers, engineers, inspectors, contractors, pumpers, operators, equipment suppliers and regulators. With more than 200 members, DOWRA facilitates networking among these professionals to work collaboratively and collectively. For more information about DOWRA, visit www.dowra.org.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902; Governors Proclamation attached.

Vol. 46, No. 345

Citizens Source Water Protection Committee to meet May 4 in Dover

DOVER – The Source Water Protection Citizens and Technical Advisory Committee (CTAC) of the Source Water Assessment and Protection Program will meet from 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, May 4, in Conference Room 220 A&B of the Kent County Administrative Offices at 555 South Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901.

The agenda includes:

An update on recent source water projects and initiatives in Delaware;
A presentation by State Geologist David Wunsch on the National Ground Water Monitoring Network;
A presentation from Dr. Holly Michael of the University of Delaware’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment on seawater intrusion; and
A presentation by Dr. Thomas McKenna on “Potential Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Groundwater Resources in the Delaware Coastal Plain.”

For more information about the Source Water Assessment and Protection Program, including a full agenda for this meeting, please visit http://delawaresourcewater.org, or contact Program Manager Anita Beckel at 302-739-9945.

Delaware’s Source Water Assessment Plan was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in October 1999. The program is charged with delineating source water areas around all sources of public drinking water in the state, identifying all existing and potential sources of contamination within those areas and making the information available to the public. The Source Water Protection Law of 2001 maintains the CTAC as an advisory committee to the Secretary of DNREC on the implementation of the Source Water Assessment Plan and closely related matters.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 11

Citizens Source Water Protection Committee to meet Nov. 4 in Dover

DOVER – The Source Water Protection Citizens and Technical Advisory Committee (CTAC) of the Source Water Assessment and Protection Program will meet from 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Nov. 4 in Conference Room 220 A&B of the Kent County Administrative Offices, 555 South Bay Road in Dover, DE 19901.

The agenda includes:

An update on recent source water projects and initiatives in Delaware;
A presentation by DNREC Secretary David Small;
A presentation from Steven Smailer, DNREC Wetlands & Subaqueous Lands Section administrator, on the Town of Bethany Beach’s Aquifer Monitoring and Management Strategy;
A presentation by Artesian Water Company on “The Real Cost of Water – from Source to Tap”; and
A presentation by Michael Brayton, U.S. Geological Survey, on the conceptual model of deeper groundwater flow within the Delaware City industrial area.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 45, No. 359