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TUTU WELLFIELD SUPERFUND SITE RECORD OF DECISION, FACTSHEET | 1 OCTOBER 2021 EPA SELECTS EXPANDED CLEANUP PLAN TUTU WELLFIELD SUPERFUND SITE The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized an expanded cleanup plan for the Tutu Wellfield Superfund site in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, on September 30, 2021. The final cleanup plan includes an expansion of the groundwater treatment system that is currently operating at the site to better address contaminated groundwater. The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) supports the technical aspects of the selected cleanup plan. The cleanup plan is available online in a decision document called a record of decision, or ROD: www.epa.gov/superfund/tutu-wellfield The Selected Cleanup EPA’s cleanup plan requires expanding and enhancing the existing groundwater pump and treatment system to capture more of the ongoing source of contamination already being addressed by the existing cleanup system. The current system was designed to address three separate areas where contaminants are dispersed in groundwater known as plumes. These groundwater plumes are contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds and petroleum products. While the existing system is effectively preventing the contamination from moving further, the concentrations of contaminants in the plumes are not decreasing as quickly as expected. The expanded system will help speed up the cleanup of the groundwater, better preventing exposure to contaminated groundwater and protecting human health. EPA will also install additional groundwater extraction wells, as well as upgrade the existing pump and treatment system so it can treat more water. In addition, EPA will add new injection wells where treated (clean) water will be pumped back into the ground to better prevent the contamination from moving further from the Community Input EPA shared a pre-recorded presentation on YouTube to discuss its proposed cleanup plan and encourage public participation in July 2021. In consultation with USVI’s Department of Planning and Natural Resources, EPA finalized its cleanup decision after considering all comments received during the public comment period. The Responsiveness Summary included in the ROD addresses these comments. While no comments were received in 2021, several were received in 2018 when the proposed cleanup plan was originally released. *625355* 625355 TUTU WELLFIELD SUPERFUND SITE RECORD OF DECISION, FACTSHEET | 2 source areas. The cleanup plan also calls for alternating pumping from existing monitoring wells that have high concentrations of contamination. EPA will continue to monitor the groundwater to evaluate changes in contaminants over time and make adjustments as needed. EPA will develop a site management plan for when construction is completed. The plan will include long- term groundwater monitoring, health and safety requirements, institutional controls, and periodic reviews until groundwater cleanup levels are met. Past Activities EPA selected a cleanup plan in 1996 to treat contaminated groundwater and soil vapor after an investigation revealed the extent of site contamination. EPA constructed the groundwater treatment and soil vapor extraction system from September 2003 to March 2004. DPNR has been responsible for operating and maintaining the groundwater treatment systems since April 2013. EPA also assessed vapor intrusion in the source area in December 2007. Background The Tutu Wellfield Superfund site in east-central St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, consists of contaminated groundwater plumes, which are areas where contaminants are scattered across an area about 108 acres in size. Contamination was first detected in 1987 after reports of a strong petroleum odor from the Tillet Well, a water supply well for the area. EPA’s investigation revealed that volatile organic compounds were contaminating institutional, commercial, communal, and private wells. Many of these contaminated wells, including the Tillet Well, were shut down. Treating and monitoring the contaminated groundwater is ongoing. EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List in September 1995. DPNR closed the Tillet Well and other commercial and private wells in 1987 after finding groundwater contamination. DPNR provided residences with an alternate water supply while EPA monitored the remaining wells. These residences are now connected to the public water supply system and no longer need to be separately supplied with potable water. CLEANUP Remedial Design SELECTION OF REMEDY Record of Decision CURRENT STAGE CHARACTERIZATION Remedial Investigation/ Feasibility Study & Proposed Plan ASSESSMENT Discovery of Contamination THE SUPERFUND REMEDIAL PROCESS POST-CONSTRUCTION Operation and Maintenance Community involvement and planning for a site’s redevelopment are integral to the entire process NPL Deletion Remedial Action National Priorities List (NPL) Site Listing Site Inspection Preliminary Assessment Five-Year Reviews TUTU WELLFIELD SUPERFUND SITE RECORD OF DECISION, FACTSHEET | 3 EPA Contact Information Caroline Kwan Remedial Project Manager (212) 637-4275 kwan.caroline@epa.gov Donette Samuel Community Involvement Coordinator 212-637-3750 samuel.donette@epa.gov www.epa.gov/superfund/tutu-wellfield www.facebook.com/eparegion2/ @EPAregion2