Capitol City Plume Superfund site
| Capitol City Plume | |
|---|---|
| Superfund site | |
| Geography | |
| City | Montgomery |
| County | Montgomery |
| State | Alabama |
  Site location shown within Alabama. | |
| Information | |
| CERCLIS ID | AL0001058056 |
| Contaminants | Benzene Ethylbenzene Tetrachloroethylene Toluene Trichloroethylene Xylene |
| Progress | |
| Proposed | May 11, 2000 |
| List of Superfund sites | |
The Capitol City Plume Superfund site is a plume of contaminated groundwater located beneath the western downtown area of Montgomery, Alabama. The contamination was discovered in 1993 by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) which was investigating soil contamination at the Retirement Systems of Alabama Energy Plant in the city.[1] After assessment by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) it was proposed for inclusion in the National Priorities List in May 2000.
A U.S. Geological Survey later concluded that the most likely cause of the contamination was the disposal of industrial wastewater into the city's sewer and storm-water systems during the 1940s to 1970s.
As part of the remediation action, the City of Montgomery planted 2 acres of poplar trees, which take up and break down contaminants from shallow groundwater through their roots.[2]
See also
References
- ^ "NPL Site Narrative for Capitol City Plume" (PDF). United States Environmental Protection Agency. May 11, 2000. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
- ^ "Capitol City Plume". Region 4 Superfund. United States Environmental Protection Agency. March 6, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
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