The East Multnomah County (EMC) Groundwater Contamination Area covers a three (3) square mile area within the cities of Gresham and Fairview, Oregon. The area extends from N.E. Halsey Blvd. to the Columbia River, and from N.E. 178th Ave. to N.E. 223rd Avenue.

Two aquifers within the project area are contaminated with trichloroethene (TCE), an industrial solvent. The groundwater contamination covers a 400 acre area centrally located within the project area. The contamination was caused by land disposal of used solvents at the Cascade Corporation and Boeing of Portland facilities during the 1960s. At the time, it was thought that the solvents would completely volatilize; instead, the solvents seeped into the groundwater.

Eight of the City of Portland's South Shore wellfield supply wells are located within the project area and downgradient of the area of contamination. The wellfield serves as a backup source of drinking water for the city. A number of other domestic and municipal water supply wells are also located within the project area and are threatened. None of the City's wells have been impacted to date.

In May 1993, EPA proposed to place EMC on the National Priorities List (NPL). This would designate EMC as a federal "Superfund" site. In September 1995, DEQ requested that EPA defer final listing of the site.

DEQ issued a remedial action record of decision (ROD) for the area-wide contamination in the deeper TSA aquifer on December 31, 1996. The cleanup for the TSA aquifer includes the installation of up to 23 groundwater extraction wells and treatment using air stripping technology. The cleanup is projected to cost Boeing and Cascade $10 to $12 million and take approximately 20 years to complete. DEQ issued a consent order to Boeing and Cascade on February 14, 1997 which specifies the requirements, deliverables and schedule for implementing the final remedy selected by DEQ.

Quarterly Activities

The final remedial design and remedial action (RD/RA) work plan was submitted on June 19, 1997.

Remedy implementation has proceeded at an aggressive pace. As of July 1, 1997, 10 extraction wells and five monitoring wells, and the first of 3 treatment systems have been installed. Groundwater extraction and treatment began from five wells in June 1997, and six additional wells will be operational on or before September 15^th after installation of the second treatment system. Decommissioning of 2 private supply wells has been completed, and the remaining two wells will be decommissioned by August 1^st. The hookup of three private residences on 205^th Avenue should also be completed by August.

In December 1996, contamination was detected in the deep Sand and Gravel aquifer (SGA). Several monitoring wells have been installed since then to characterize the extent of the problem. Based on existing data, the extent of the problem appears to be limited. Several additional monitoring wells will be installed to bound the area of contamination, and evaluations are underway to determine what actions are necessary to clean up the contamination.

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