All News Releases By Date

EPA Finalizes Listing of Albuquerque Site as Superfund Priority

Release Date: 10/25/1999
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

                       
       The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) have added an area of the Santa Fe Group aquifer underlying downtown Albuquerque to the federal Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). A plume of industrial solvents poses a threat to the aquifer.

       "New Mexicans know the value of water resources. Listing this site on the Superfund NPL will ensure Albuquerque families continue to enjoy safe drinking water. We will continue working closely with the city and state to protect this irreplaceable resource," EPA Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.

       "The EPA, city of Albuquerque, and NMED have cooperated to find an excellent solution to the Fruit Avenue Plume problem. Superfund NPL listing assures funding is available to clean up the contamination so that it does not continue to spread unchecked, and the Albuquerque city water supply remains safe," said NMED Secretary of the Environment Peter Maggiore.

       "Albuquerque residents can rest assured that drinking water provided by the city is and always has been safe. The listing of the site by EPA and NMED ensures that funding to clean up the site is in place. Mayor Baca's commitment is to see that the groundwater contamination plume is cleaned up quickly to enhance the revitalization of Albuquerque's downtown and to protect the long-term ground water resource," said Albuquerque Environmental Health Department Director Sarah Kotchian.

       NMED discovered the contamination during routine testing of an industrial well. Further testing allowed NMED to determine that the chemical plume underlies about six square city blocks in the downtown area.

       None of the city wells are affected by the site. All of the city's drinking water supply wells meet drinking water standards and are safe. Traces of the solvents have been found in only one industrial well which was closed. The other wells are being continually monitored to ensure safe drinking water.

       The EPA Superfund program works closely with state agencies to clean and restore uncontrolled contaminated properties. Superfund cleans sites when the work required is beyond the resources of state and local agencies.

       The site was proposed for addition to the NPL July 1999. In its evaluation of the site, EPA considered comments received during a 60-day public comment period. Additional information about this site is available on the Internet at https://www.epa.gov/oerrpage/superfund/sites/npl/nar1570.htm.