CAYUGA COUNTY, N.Y. — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a plan to address contaminated groundwater at the Cayuga County Ground Water Contamination Superfund site in Cayuga County, N.Y., according to a press release.
Groundwater at the site is contaminated with volatile organic compounds, which can cause serious damage to people’s health and the environment, stated the release.
The EPA held a public meeting in Union Springs, N.Y. on August 2, 2012 to explain the groundwater cleanup plan.
[Related content: Plan finalized to clean up groundwater contamination at Superfund site]
The EPA accepted public comment for 60 days and considered public input before finalizing the plan, noted the release.
The final cleanup plan divides the groundwater beneath the site into three areas. For Area 1, which is the most contaminated area, the EPA will use bioremediation, a technique that involves adding chemicals and biological enhancements to the groundwater to promote the breakdown of the volatile organic compounds.
For Area 2 of the groundwater, which contains lower levels of volatile organic compounds, the EPA will use natural processes to reduce the level of contamination to meet groundwater standards.
The EPA is deferring a decision on how to clean up the groundwater in Area 3. The EPA will do further investigation of that area prior to issuing a final cleanup decision.
Read the entire press release here.
