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Occurrence of Tetrachloroethylene in Shallow Groundwater and Surface Water near the Capitol City Plume Site, Montgomery, Alabama

Project Chief: Amy Gill
Cooperator: U.S. Environment Protection Agency
Period of Project: FY08-FY09

The Capitol City Plume is an area of groundwater contamination identified in downtown Montgomery, Alabama. The main contaminant of concern in the plume is tetrachloroethylene (PCE). PCE is an organic compound commonly used in dry-cleaning and degreasing. In very high concentrations, PCE can cause various human health effects ranging from dizziness and headaches to death. PCE has been detected in public water supply wells in the vicinity of the plume, and concentrations have been as high as 21.0 parts per billion (ppb), which is greater than the maximum contaminant level for drinking water of 5 ppb. The Capitol City Plume site is listed on the National Priorities List and is currently being evaluated for potential remediation strategies by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

PCE was detected in very low concentrations in samples collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from Cypress Creek, a small creek presumed to be hydraulically downgradient from the plume, in summer 2006. Previous studies of the area by other sources have identified other contaminants as well. The objective of this investigation is to determine contaminant concentrations in shallow groundwater and surface water near the known plume location. Data gathered during this investigation will provide additional information about the possible transport of plume contaminants to local surface water.

Water-quality samples will be collected from Cypress Creek, a potential area of groundwater discharge from the Capitol City Plume, and from existing monitoring wells. Sample collection also will be scheduled in conjunction with related tree-coring samples and routine monitoring by the city of Montgomery and Montgomery Water Works and Sanitary Sewer Board.