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Vienna Wells Site in Vienna, Mo., Added to Superfund’s National Priorities List; Allows EPA to Investigate Water Contamination

Release Date: 09/27/2010
Contact Information: Dianna Whitaker, (913) 551-7598, whitaker.dianna@epa.gov


Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Sept. 27, 2010) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced its decision to place the Vienna Wells site in Vienna, Mo., on the federal Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL is a list of the nation's hazardous waste sites with the highest priority for cleanup. This site is eligible for extensive, long-term response action money authorized by Congress under the Superfund program.

The Vienna Wells site includes three public drinking water wells contaminated with tetrachloroethylene (PCE). NPL status allows EPA to fund an investigation into the source and extent of groundwater contamination at the site and to determine if any possible parties are responsible for the contamination.

The City of Vienna has secured funding to install water decontamination technology known as an air stripper system. When the system becomes operational, it will remove the PCE from drinking water before it reaches the public.

The Vienna site was proposed for NPL listing in March 2010, which was followed by a 60-day public comment period. EPA did not receive any comments on the proposal.

EPA wants to help affected communities understand the technical information related to these sites. EPA's Technical Assistance Grant Program provides up to $50,000 for a qualified citizens group to hire independent technical advisors. The advisors can help citizens interpret complex environmental data, understand site hazards, and critique various cleanup technologies. For additional information about the Technical Assistance Grant Program, contact Dianna Whitaker at 913-551-7598 or whitaker.dianna@epa.gov.