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NPL Site Narrative for Peterson/Puritan, Inc.
PETERSON-PURITAN, INC.
Lincoln/Cumberland, Rhode Island
Federal Register Notice: September 8, 1983Conditions at listing (December 1982): The Peterson-Puritan, Inc., Site covers 920 acres in the well fields of Lincoln and Cumberland, Rhode Island. Organic contamination was first detected in October 1979 in three Lincoln wells on the west bank of the Blackstone River and in a Cumberland well on the east bank of the river. These wells were closed and remain out of service. Although Lincoln received Federal funds for an alternate water supply, the town made several attempts from October 1979 through June 1980 to flush contaminants from its wells by pumping them. However, long-term pumping increased contaminant levels.
In March 1982, EPA completed a study of an area 2 miles in length along the Blackstone River, extending 2,000 feet east and west of the main channel. The northeastern corner of the site, on the Cumberland side of the river, is occupied by a small industrial area that includes Peterson-Puritan. The study concluded that Peterson-Puritan was the most probable source of contamination of the Lincoln wells and that the Cumberland well was contaminated by some of the same compounds found in the Lincoln wells.
Status (July 1983): EPA has met with Peterson-Puritan and its parent company, CPU International, Inc. Peterson-Puritan conducted an initial study to determine the source or sources of contaminants leaving its property. EPA received the report in late June 1983, at which time EPA started to negotiate a Consent Decree with Peterson-Puritan for remedial action at the site.
For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.