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REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION/ FEASIBILITY STUDY Tutu Wells Superfund Site St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands &EPA REGION May 1992 J About This Fact Sheet The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to conduct a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) at the Tutu Wells Superfund Site in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The purpose of the RI/FS is to further characterize the nature, extent, and potential public health and environmental effects of waste material detected in commercial and residential wells in Tutu. This fact sheet includes a brief site history, a description of current RI/FS activities, and information on places to visit and persons to contact for additional information. Public Meeting EPA is holding a public meeting to present the study plans for the RI/FS on May 20, 1992 at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 149 Anna's Retreat, at 7 p.m. All interested parties and Tutu area residents are welcome. Site Description The Tutu Wells Superfund Site is located in the town of Tutu, a commercial/ residential area in central St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Following a resident's report of an odor coming from his well in July 1987, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) contacted EPA to test several commercial and private wells in Tutu. EPA found high concentrations of metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In September 1987, DPNR closed 13 commercial wells and 5 private wells to protect human health. In January 1988, EPA began a removal action at the Tutu Wells site to close contaminated wells, provide clean drinking water to residents with wells, and establish a well monitoring and sampling program. EPA then conducted a search for potentially responsible parties. In response to a Unilateral Administrative Order issued ^by EPA in March 1990, Esso Standard Oil S.A., Limited, Texaco Caribbean Inc., and O'Henry Cleaners agreed to complete the removal action. The Tutu Wells site was proposed to be added to EPA's National Priorities List (NPL) in February 1992. The NPL is the nationwide list of hazardous waste sites that qualify for federal Superfund cleanup dollars. Current Activities On February 19, 1992, the Tutu Environmental Investigation Committee (Esso and Texaco) signed an agreement with EPA to perform an RI/FS of the Tutu Wells site according to EPA guidelines and with EPA oversight. The RI/FS field activities will be conducted by Geraghty & Miller, Inc. and Soil Tech, contractors for the Tutu Environmental Investigation Committee. 003 0732 *64438* 64438 Upcoming Field Work EPA has approved a work plan that outlines field activities to be conducted during the RI/FS at the Tutu site. The RI will consist of a soil and groundwater investigation to provide data regarding the soil and groundwater quality. The soil investigation will include sampling and chemical analysis of approximately 30 shallow and deep soil samples. These soil samples will be collected in the vertical interval from land surface to the top of the water table. The groundwater investigation will include installation of 18 monitoring wells to measure groundwater levels and to collect groundwater samples. The new monitoring wells will be sampled during two distinct groundwater sampling events. These sampling events will be coordinated with the ongoing sampling of existing supply wells in the Tutu area. Pumping tests will be performed to evaluate aquifer characteristics. After the RI is completed, the FS will outline and evaluate alternatives for cleaning up the site. The field work is expected to begin in June 1992. The RI/FS will continue throughout the summer and fall. EPA expects to complete the field work in November 1992. Further Information For more information about the RI/FS activities at the Tutu Wells site, please contact: Caroline Kwan Remedial Project Manager (212) 264-0151/Room 747 or Lillian Johnson Chief, Community Relations Branch (212) 264-7054/Room 905 The address for all EPA contacts is: U.S. EPA, Region II 26 Federal Plaza New York, New York 10278 If you would like to be added to the mailing list for the Tutu Wells site and receive future fact sheets, please send your name and address to Lillian Johnson. Information Repositories Site-related documents regarding the Tutu Wells site are presently available for review at the following location: U.S. Virgin Islands Housing Authority Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00804 Contact: Irma Hodge Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In the coming weeks, EPA will establish a second information repository, as follows: Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) Division of Environmental Protection Nisky Center, Suite 231 St. Thomas, VI 00802 Contact: Yvonne McCauley Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. IXCfHD • SOI. KMHG • SH*LUM UONTORWC WU. A DCCPCR UONITOW1C NCU • DUSTKC futfll ItU. SCA1.C (APPROXIUATE) 0 100 FEET Tutu Wells Superfund Site St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands TUT 003 0734 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency External Programs Division Community Relations Branch 26 Federal Plaza, Room 905 New York, New York 10278 Printed on Recycled Paper