CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed adding a Paden City location to the list of sites known for releases of hazardous substances or pollutants.
The addition of the Paden City groundwater site to the Superfund National Priorities List would allow federal officials to better understand the effects of groundwater contamination and administer possible solutions.
According to the EPA, the site consists of three historical dry-cleaning facilities which have leaked solvent tetrachloroethylene and other products into the groundwater and soil, including three groundwater wells that the town uses as the primary sources of drinking water. The level of solvent tetrachloroethylene is higher than the state and federal maximum contaminant levels.
U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., applauded the EPA’s decision in separate statements on Wednesday.
“Every West Virginian deserves fresh air to breathe and clean water to drink but for too long, this has not been the reality for Paden City residents,” Manchin said.
“This announcement is a step in the right direction to find a permanent and long term solution to the groundwater issues facing Paden City. This designation would move Paden City toward qualifying for federal funding for long-term projects to clean up the polluted water. I will continue to work with the EPA to help clean up Paden City’s groundwater and fight to ensure all West Virginians have access to clean drinking water.”
Capito noted she was glad the EPA is considering efforts to address the issue.
“I hope EPA will move forward with adding the site to the list quickly to clean up this contamination and protect West Virginians,” she said.
An open comment period will begin Thursday, in which the public can submit information and comments about possibly adding the site to the final list. The comment period ends Nov. 8.
People may submit comments at http://www.regulations.gov by searching “EPA-HQ-OLEM-2021-0467″.