2006 CPEO Brownfields List Archive

From: Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>
Date: 20 Mar 2006 21:01:56 -0000
Reply: cpeo-brownfields
Subject: [CPEO-BIF] Visit to Hopewell Junction vapor intrusion site
 
Below is my report on my latest field visit to Hopewell Junction, New York, to learn more about the Hopewell Precision Superfund Site, site of a major vapor intrusion response project. For a formatted version with photographs, go to http://www.cpeo.org/brownfields/HopewellNY.doc. - LS

Visit to Hopewell Junction
March 14, 2006
Lenny Siegel

On March 14, 2006, I visited the home of Debra and David Hall in Hopewell Junction. They live over a groundwater plume of trichloroethylene and trichloroethane associated with the Hopewell Precision Superfund Site. Since I have previously visited Debra and she has testified extensively about this site, this report will focus on new information. I used the opportunity to take pictures of the Halls' water filtration and "radon" vapor mitigation systems.

Less than 150 homes are known to be impacted by the Hopewell Precision plume. At times, Debra has appeared to be an (effective) one-woman campaign for investigation and cleanup. It was heartening to learn than 50 people attended a recent public meeting about the site hosted by U.S. EPA, and I assured her that in any community only a small fraction of impacted residents are consistently active.

She told me - and repeated in her testimony to New York's Department of Environmental Conservation the next day - that "at least 7 homes ... have clean water and contaminated air." She also reported on new construction: "I know of two homes that were [recently] built in the neighborhood. One of them already has needed a mitigation system installed. The other one will now need testing every year because of its location."

Debra explained that at least one of her neighbors wants the village to run municipal water lines to their neighborhood. Debra prefers the filter and regular monitoring. That way she and David are sure they are drinking acceptable water, and they don't have to pay a monthly water bill.

Finally, she said that Dutchess County's Board of Health has enacted a county-wide requirement for private well testing, and that she is working with state legislators to implement a state-wide private-well sampling program. Officials were aware of contamination in her area long before anyone bothered to inform the residents.



--
Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
http://www.cpeo.org
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