Johnson and Pine Street Wellfield Investigation

December 10, 1999

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's Site Discovery group (DEP/SD) and the City of Peabody have been working together to find the source of the Johnson Street and Pine Street public water supply well contamination. DEP has also attempted to identify other public health concerns directly related to the groundwater contamination located in the area of the Johnson Street and Pine Street wellfield, such as indoor air impacts. This newsletter will provide a brief history of events leading up to DEP's wellfield investigation, an overview of DEP/SD's efforts and findings, and a projection of future DEP involvement with the Johnson and Pine Street wellfield area.

Brief History

In 1987, the Johnson Street supply well was removed from service after trichloroethylene (TCE) was found at levels above the Federal and State safe drinking water standard of 5.0 parts per billion (ppb). TCE is a man-made chlorinated solvent that is primarily used to remove oil and grease from metal parts and textiles. In addition to TCE, other chlorinated solvents such as tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and dichloroethylene (DCE) were also found in the Johnson Street supply well, but at lower levels. PCE is primarily used in the textile industry, and as a dry cleaning agent. DCE is a break down product of both PCE and TCE. In 1988, the Pine Street supply well was removed from service due to contamination similar to the Johnson Street supply well. From 1987 to the present, the supply wells have been routinely monitored for the presence of these compounds. TCE and PCE levels have remained elevated at the Johnson Street supply well to date.

DEP Site Discovery Work 1994-1996

From 1994 to 1996, DEP/SD conducted an investigation of past land use within the wellfield, which included the installation of numerous driven wellpoints and monitoring wells at targeted properties. Although a source of the Johnson and Pine Street supply well contamination was not identified at that time, other useful information on groundwater quality and geology within the wellfield area was obtained. Several properties were identified as having various environmental compliance issues. These properties were referred to the appropriate sections within DEP for compliance and enforcement. The result of the investigation helped to prevent future impacts to the water supply aquifer from nearby industry and commercial properties.

Later DEP Site Discovery Work

During the Summer of 1998 through the Spring of 1999, DEP/SD installed 32 wellpoints within the wellfield to define the TCE plume and identify its source. By the Spring of 1999, the TCE plume had been tracked back from the Johnson Street supply well in a southeast direction to the Normandy Drive/ Moulton Road area. [Please refer to the attached site map. The map illustrates the position of the TCE plume and TCE levels in ground-water at wellpoints and monitoring wells within the study area.] An additional six wellpoints were installed in the Corey Drive and Normandy Drive area to investigate the potential for indoor air impacts which might result from chemical vapors moving from the groundwater upwards through soil. Based on contaminant levels detected and the depth of the groundwater, it was determined that no impacts to public health were occurring due to vapor intrusion into residences overlying the groundwater plume. Furthermore, all properties within the study area receive drinking water from the Winona Water Treatment plant. The water from this plant is routinely tested to ensure that it meets all EPA and State safe drinking water standards.

Air rotary drill rig along Winona Street, Aug. 1999. DEP Photo

In June 1999, a State-funded contractor conducted seismic work at locations along Winona Street and parts of a Newbury Street property, to map the top of bedrock. From July 1999 to September 1999, DEP's contractor installed a total of 10 bedrock monitoring wells along Winona Street and at 128 Newbury Street. Groundwater samples were collected and field-screened by DEP personnel at the time of the well installation to determine specific groundwater well placement/depth.

Findings 

Based on information obtained from the 1998/1999 assessment work, DEP has tracked the TCE plume from the Johnson Street supply well, 4400 feet back to 128 Newbury Street. TCE levels as high as 77,000 ppb were found in groundwater sampled at 128 Newbury Street. Land use records indicate that machine shops operated at the 128 Newbury Street property during the 1960s and early 1970s.

Next Steps 

DEP is currently reviewing ground-water quality data generated during the Summer 1999 field work. Upon final review, DEP will determine what response actions will be necessary. The following response actions may be undertaken:

• Identification and formal notification of a responsible party for the TCE contamination
• Installation of additional wells.

For more information please contact:

Mr. Larry Immerman at:
MaDEP, Northeast Regional Office,
One Winter Street,
Boston MA 02108
Telephone: 978-694-3200
e-mail: lawrence.immerman@state.ma.us

Superintendent Peter Smyrnios at:
City Of Peabody Water Department,
Winona Water Treatment Plant,
Butternut Avenue,
Peabody, MA 01960
978-536-5069

Mr. Richard Carnevale at:
City Of Peabody,
Director Of Public Services
50 Farm Avenue,
Peabody MA 01960
978-536-0600