Aberdeen Pesticide Dumps Superfund Site Multi-Cache

Aberdeen Pesticide Dumps Superfund Site - 

All the information on this geocache site is public knowledge on the EPA Brownfields and Superfunds website.

This site has multiple groundwater monitoring wells throughout the public hiking area and ongoing groundwater monitoring (sampled every 5 years) and phytoremediation (trees used to remove contaminants from the soil and groundwater) that is visible from the trail. 

The coordinates listed for this geocache are one of the many groundwater monitoring wells within this public area - upgradient of Aberdeen Lake. Once you find the correct monitoring well (indicated by the coordinates listed), you must then walk about 50 steps at a bearing of 192 degrees (south/southwest). 

Environmental remediation specialists usually have degrees in geology, environmental science, or chemical/environmental engineering, but it is easy to find evidence of their work in places you frequent. The easiest place to find a monitoring well somewhere you frequent every week is a gas station. Look for a small manhole cover (about 8" wide) that says "Do Not Fill - Groundwater Monitoring Well". Read on below for public details about this specific site.

The Aberdeen Pesticide Dumps are a 37-acre Superfund site with five separate areas. Groundwater and soil were contaminated by industrial formulation and blending of pesticides and related waste disposal activities. The EPA conducted cleanup activities (contaminated soil removal) at 4 of the 5 site areas between 1985-1989 before the Site was placed on the Superfund Program’s National Priority List in 1989.

The five areas are as follows –

1. The Farm Chemicals Area (FC Area) – Pesticide formulation plant operations

4 acres about ½ mile from the US-1 intersection; 650 feet uphill of Page’s Lake. Operated from 1930-1987, demolished in 1997. Currently houses a mini-storage, industrial/construction store, and Cactus Creek. During the 1950s pesticides were also dumped here.

2. The Twin Sites Area (TS Area) – 22-acre disposal area, 1945-1971 – Page’s Lake walking trail
3. The Fairway Six Area (F6 Area) – 10-acre disposal area, 1950-1971, waste from formulation operations. Previous Link Golf Course, now a vacant field
4. The McIver Dump Area (MC Area) – 1-acre disposal area consisting of Patterson Branch and homes
5. Route 211 Area (R211 Area) – 1,300 square feet, originally a borrow pit from sand mining and later a pesticide-manufacturing waste disposal area. Currently houses mechanical equipment and tools.

There are over seven possible related parties, many of whom are common chemical production companies you may have heard of. Responsible parties are determined after a contaminated site has undergone an initial investigation by the US EPA and NCDENR.

History -

• 1996: RPRs demolished 12 buildings at the Farm Chemicals Area
• 1997-1998: RPRs used low-level heat to remove contamination from over 123,000 tons of contaminated soil
• 1998 – Groundwater clean up plan design for 3 areas
• 2004 – Sampling of sediment, surface water, and fish tissue from Page’s Lake (Aberdeen Lake) – results deemed that the lake does not pose a threat to people. However, there is still a sign on the side of the lake near the tracks warning humans to not eat more than 1 fish per day due to mercury poisoning.
• Prior to 2008 – RPRs conducted groundwater sampling at 3 of the areas
• After 2008 – RPRs sample groundwater at 1 of the areas every 5 years
• 2008 – The site’s first Five-Year Review recommended development of a plan for restrictive convenants, well drilling ordinances and controls affected by contamination
• 2013 – The Site’s second Five-Year Review concluded that actions to date are protective in the short term. In order to be protective in the long term an Explanation of Significant Difference is needed for the cleanup level for delta-BHC in 1 area to be protective of human health
• 2018 – No issues were identified in the third Five-Year Review
• 2023 – Will be the fourth Five-Year Review

Treatment –

• Groundwater Extraction and Treatment at the R211 site
• Groundwater Monitoring at all 5 sites
• Source Removal
• Groundwater Remediation – Monitored Natural Attenuation (natural degrading of chemicals) and phytoremediation (use of trees and plants to degrade chemicals)
• Institutional Controls – Reduce exposure to contamination to people by limiting land or resource use (no drinking water wells, zoning restrictions, deed restrictions, public health warning signs)