Should I be concerned about trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in the Backus River?
In August 2003, levels of TCE and PCE originating from the Ashumet Valley plume were found in surface water upwelling into a ditch associated with cranberry bogs adjacent to the Backus River. Additional investigation efforts are underway to gather surface and groundwater monitoring data to better characterize this contamination. Based on available data, however, infrequent contact with current levels of PCE and TCE in these bogs during recreational use or for cranberry workers are not likely to present a health hazard. These levels are not expected to impact cranberries within the Backus River /Bogs. Q: How can it be safe to swim and fish in Johns and Ashumet ponds when there are contaminated groundwater plumes upwelling at the bottom? A: Storm Drain-5 (SD-5) and Chemical Spill-10 (CS-10) groundwater plumes have been found to be upwelling in the northwest portion of Johns Pond. CS-10 and Ashumet Valley groundwater plumes have also been found to be upwelling in the northwest portion of
