EPA and North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) discovered TCE approximately 3/4 mile to the northeast of the contamination at the former CTS plant on Mills Gap Road in Skyland, N.C. According to the official press release:

Of the 66 wells sampled, one active well showed the presence of Trichloroethylene (TCE) in excess of EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), the level established to be protective of human health. The well is located approximately three-fourths of a mile northeast of the site. The sampling also detected trace quantities of cis-1,2-Dichlorethylene, a breakdown product of TCE, below the MCL. EPA provided bottled water to the affected residence and re-tested the well in question. The second set of sampling confirmed the presence of TCE at the level indicated by the original testing.

NCDENR also identified all active residential wells in the immediate area of the contaminated well. On January 8, 2008, NCDENR tested eight wells not previously tested during the November and December sampling events. Of the eight wells, one well, located immediately east of the contaminated well, contained TCE below the MCL. No contaminants were detected in the other five wells.

The Asheville Citizen-Times (NC) adds:

The latest round of testing came in response to state testing in August that found levels of the industrial solvent trichloroethylene, or TCE, in areas around the former plant had not significantly decreased as a result of cleanup efforts at the site, which removed more than 1,600 pounds of the solvent from soil underneath the building in a little over a year of operation.

On the Citizen-Times' comments page, Representative Charles C. Thomas calls the developments here "a true tragedy." Not only does he claim this represents "a dereliction of duty on the part of state and federal government of the highest order," but he firmly states, "Those who are responsible must be held to account."

Speaking of being held to account, according to a previous press release, EPA and NCDENR also conducted some sort of vapor intrusion study in December. If they are prepared to answer questions about it tomorrow night (as they say here), why no mention of the vapor intrusion study results in the press release or news?

REMINDER: EPA will hold a public meeting to discuss the activities at the Mills Gap Groundwater Contamination site on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the Skyland Fire Department (9 Miller Road, Asheville, N.C.). EPA, NCDENR, Buncombe County Health Center,and ATSDR will all be present to answer questions and explain que paso.