EPA Proposes Plan For Second Phase Of Cleanup Of The Peninsula Boulevard Superfund Site In Hewlett, Nassau County, N.Y.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed a plan to address the sources of groundwater contamination at the Peninsula Boulevard Groundwater Plume Superfund site in Hewlett, Nassau County, N.Y. The groundwater is contaminated with tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene, which are chemical solvents used in dry cleaning that can harm people’s health.

“This cleanup proposal for the Peninsula Boulevard site is the second phase of EPA’s ongoing efforts to clean up groundwater contamination at this Superfund site in Hewlett,” said Acting Regional Administrator, Catherine McCabe. “EPA remains committed to using the best available technology to ensure that this contamination is removed as quickly as possible and that the health of the residents of Hewlett is protected.”

The Peninsula Boulevard Groundwater Plume Superfund site is an area of contaminated groundwater in Hewlett, N.Y. The site is in a densely developed neighborhood that contains multiple commercial and residential properties. Dry cleaning businesses in the area polluted the groundwater with volatile organic compounds, such as tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene.

Residents in the area get their drinking water from the New York American Water Company, which operates a wellfield approximately 1,000 feet north of the Peninsula Boulevard site. The water delivered to area residents is a blend of water from several wellfields, including the wellfield nearest to the site. Drinking water supplies are treated to remove contaminants and monitored regularly to ensure that drinking water meets state and federal standards for protection of human health. 

Because of the complexity of the site, the EPA has divided the cleanup of the groundwater into two phases. During the first phase of cleanup work, which began in 2011, the EPA designed a pumping-well-extraction system that will bring the polluted groundwater to the surface where it can be treated. In addition, EPA designed a system of wells that will inject non-hazardous additives in areas of highly contaminated groundwater that will reduce contamination through bioremediation.

The second phase of the cleanup, proposed today, addresses the sources of groundwater contamination at and around the Cedarwood Cleaners and Piermont Cleaners. The EPA’s cleanup proposal includes application of non-hazardous additives to the groundwater to promote the breakdown of contaminants. The specific types of additives to be used will be determined by the EPA as part of the design of the cleanup. Throughout the cleanup, monitoring, testing and further studies will be conducted to ensure the effectiveness of the cleanup technology.  Groundwater will be sampled and the results used to verify that cleanup goals are met. The EPA estimates the cost of this cleanup will be about $24.7M. The EPA will conduct a review within five years to ensure the effectiveness of the cleanup.

EPA will hold a public meeting on June 22, 2017 to explain the proposed plan, and encourages public comments. The meeting will be held 7:00 p.m. at Hewlett Fire House, 25 Franklin Avenue, N.Y. Comments will be accepted until July 17.