DNREC to update community on ground water investigations at June GHADA meeting.
EPA to determine if the site warrants further long-term investigation and cleanup At the Monday, June 19 Greater Hockessin Area Development Association (GHADA) meeting, representatives from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) will update the public about the contaminated Hockessin Ground Water Plume Site.
The meeting is at 7 p.m., June 19 at the Hockessin Memorial Hall, 610 Yorklyn Road, Hockessin.
According to a press release, DNREC and EPA have been investigating contamination from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in some ground water wells which supply the Hockessin area’s drinking water.
Public drinking water in the area is provided by Artesian Water Company, and is treated to remove VOCs.
The primary ground water contaminant of concern in the Hockessin area is tetrachloroethylene (PCE), most commonly used as a dry-cleaning solvent and industrial degreaser.
PCE, a 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, according to DNREC.
DNREC has requested additional assistance from the EPA to help fully investigate the area, and identify the sources of the VOC contamination in ground water.
At the meeting, DNREC and the EPA will provide information on ground water well testing results for residential properties, along with 2016-17 environmental assessment work completed by EPA on ground water contamination in the area.
The EPA is using its Superfund authority and resources to determine if the site warrants further long-term investigation and cleanup.