Premium
EPA's Approach to Evaluating and Cleaning Up Ground Water Contamination at Superfund Sites
Author(s) -
Haley Jennifer L.,
Lang David J.,
Herrinton Lisa
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
groundwater monitoring and remediation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1745-6592
pISSN - 1069-3629
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6592.1989.tb01027.x
Subject(s) - superfund , remedial action , remedial education , liability , process (computing) , hazardous waste , underground storage tank , environmental remediation , environmental planning , contamination , environmental science , engineering , business , waste management , computer science , law , operating system , ecology , storage tank , finance , biology , political science
EPA's approach for developing, evaluating, and selecting ground water response actions at Superfund sites with contaminated ground water involves a series of key decisions to support necessary actions. These actions include the following: Planning how the site will be managed Determining data needs Determining remedial action objectives Developing alternatives Selecting and implementing the remedy. The key decisions should reflect a policy and decision‐making approach developed within the framework of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA 1980) as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA 1986) and program policies to implement these acts. This paper outlines a flexible, iterative process, described in detail in the Guidance on Remedial Actions for Contaminated Ground Water at Superfund Sites (U.S. EPA 1988), by which ground water remedies can be identified, evaluated, selected, and implemented at Superfund sites beginning with initial site investigation tasks and ending with evaluation of implemented actions. Proper consideration of the factors presented in this paper should result in an efficient, effective procedure for making remedial action decisions for contaminated ground water that ensures protection of human health and the environment.