Darin R. Warner, Ralph Tella and Henry J. Lord, Lord Associates, 520 Providence Highway, Suite 8, Norwood, MA 02062

An analysis of data obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MADEP) hazardous waste site databases was conducted to determine the status of gasoline-related hazardous waste sites (GRHWS) within sensitive groundwater resource areas.  Of the 199 identified GRHWS in Massachusetts, no gasoline service stations situated in a zone of contribution to a public drinking water supply have achieved regulatory closure.  This study raises significant implications with respect to the feasibility for regulatory compliance in Massachusetts under current constraints for site closure.  This study was conducted to (1) quantify the number of GRHWS in either a zone of contribution to a public water supply well (i.e., Zone II) or other current or potential drinking water source; and to (2) determine the number of these sites that have been restored to “background conditions” through active remediation or have otherwise achieved a “Permanent Solution” as defined by the Massachusetts Contingency Plan. A search has identified 190 active GRHWS in sensitive groundwater resource areas.  As indicated by the reviewed databases, most of these sites are currently undergoing some form of remediation.  Nine (9) of the identified 199 GRHWS have achieved some form of regulatory closure; however, only one (1) of these sites is located in a zone of contribution to a public water supply and is not a gasoline service station.  This analysis begs the question, whether environmental professionals and regulators are in a difficult position of implementing a mandate that compels PRP’s to conduct remedial efforts that, to date, have been unsuccessful.  Furthermore, it is probable that the majority of these sites are funded through the State’s UST reimbursement program and therefore it is fair to ask whether public resources are being used to implement a policy that cannot work.  

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