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EPA Completes First Phase of Remedial Investigation for Ward Transformer Superfund Site in Raleigh, N.C.

Release Date: 11/08/2004
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, [email protected]

An availability session will be held on November 16, 2004 regarding the results of the remedial investigation The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today completion of the first phase of the Remedial Investigation (RI) for the Ward Transformer Superfund site.  The first phase remedial investigation included the collection of soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment, and fish samples to determine the extent of contamination at the site. Results of the investigation show elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in surface and subsurface soil in areas within the Ward Transformer property, and drainage pathways immediately outside of the facility.  PCBs were also detected in fish and sediment samples collected from the Unnamed Tributary to Little Brier Creek, Little Brier Creek downstream of Brier Creek Parkway, Brier Creek Reservoir, Brier Creek and Lake Crabtree. As a result of the investigation, the State of North Carolina has issued advisories against eating the fish from these areas and EPA has installed “Do Not Eat Fish” signs.  EPA has issued an Action Memorandum which supports the implementation of a time critical removal action and has notified the Ward Transformer facility of the contaminated conditions at the facility.  The removal action will address contaminated soil at the facility.  A second phase of the remedial investigation is ongoing and includes collection of additional sediment and fish samples from areas further downstream of Lake Crabtree.  Additional groundwater monitoring wells also will be installed in areas around the Ward Transformer facility. EPA will hold an availability session to address any questions regarding the remedial investigation for the Ward Transformer Site.  The session will be held on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Morrisville Commerce Building, 260 Town Hall Drive, Suite A, Morrisville, North Carolina.   Officials from the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) also will be available to answer questions.