EPA is addressing the site in three stages: initial actions, cleaning groundwater away from the source area and cleaning groundwater at the source area. As part of the initial actions, EPA removed about 850 tons of contaminated soil from the source area in 1990 and 1991 and disposed of it at a toxic waste facility.
| City | Plymouth |
|---|---|
| County | Penobscot County |
| State | Maine |
| Coordinates | 44.74028, -69.18222 |
West Site Hows Corners is a federal Superfund site in Maine. The Superfund program, created by Congress in 1980, addresses sites where hazardous substances have been released or threaten release into the environment. EPA scores potential sites using the Hazard Ranking System; those that score high enough are placed on the National Priorities List.
Current status: Ready for anticipated reuse. EPA considers this site ready for anticipated reuse, meaning cleanup has progressed enough for certain land uses. This does not necessarily mean all contamination has been removed — institutional controls like deed restrictions may limit how the land can be used.
EPA has identified 10 contaminants of concern at this site, including 1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethene. Contamination has been detected in groundwater.
If you live near this site and have health concerns, your state health department can provide site-specific guidance. EPA maintains a community involvement program for most NPL sites, and site documents — including the Record of Decision, five-year reviews, and public health assessments — are typically available through EPA's Superfund site profile.