Superfund Site: Hockessin, Delaware

Analies Dyjak  |  Policy Nerd

This week, Hydroviv is highlighting the six new National Priorities List (NPL) sites under the EPA Superfund program. Superfund sites are home to high levels of hazardous soil and groundwater contamination from years of improper disposal techniques. If you’d like to learn more about the ins and outs of Superfund, check out our recap HERE. The first Superfund site that we’ll be discussing is located in Hockessin, Delaware.

Hockessin, Delaware is home to one of the six newly designated Superfund NPL sites. EPA detected high levels of Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) on site, which is a known carcinogen. In a 2012 carcinogenicity assessment, EPA set a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 5 parts per billion for drinking water. Long term exposure of PCE can cause adverse effects to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. The Artesian Water Authority services 184,000 people in Hockessin, and government officials are predicting that 10,500 of these individuals may be affected by the contamination. Local officials claim that the tap water is “safe” to drink, but households that are not serviced through the Artesian Water Authority and those ingesting groundwater should be cautious. Currently, EPA is claiming that the source of contamination is unknown. PCE is an effluent typically associated with dry cleaning, textile operations and metal degreasing.

If you live near a Superfund site and are concerned about your water, drop us an email at hello@hydroviv.com or visit hydroviv.com and use our live chat feature. Hydroviv is staffed with scientists and policy experts that can help you make sense of your water and find an effective filter, even if it isn’t one we sell. Be sure to follow along this week as we discuss all of the newly designated Superfund sites!