Pinette's Salvage Yard

Overview

Pinette's Salvage Yard is a 12-acre auto repair and salvage facility located about one mile southwest of Washburn, Maine. The contamination began in June 1979, when three electrical transformers from Loring Air Force Base ruptured during removal and spilled 900 to 1,000 gallons of PCB-containing fluid directly onto the ground. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection confirmed PCB contamination in April 1980, and EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in September 1983.

Seven contaminants of concern were identified in soil and groundwater. Soil contaminants include 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, benzene, chlorobenzene, and chloromethane. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were found in both soil and groundwater. All of these fall under the site's Source Control operable unit, meaning cleanup efforts targeted the substances at their point of origin.

Cleanup happened in two main phases. Starting in fall 1983, workers removed roughly 800 cubic yards of contaminated soil and debris. Then, beginning in 1991, an additional 410 cubic yards of heavily contaminated soil were excavated and incinerated. After on-site treatment showed poor results in 1992, EPA switched to off-site disposal. In total, 1,005 tons of soil were incinerated, 20 tons were treated by solvent extraction, and 5,103 tons were sent to a regulated landfill. EPA also pumped over one million gallons of contaminated groundwater, reducing contaminant levels enough to stop active treatment. Because some residual groundwater contamination remains, EPA placed a deed restriction in 2002 that prohibits installing drinking water wells on the property.

EPA deleted the site from the NPL in September 2002. Human exposure is currently under control, meaning there are no unacceptable exposure pathways. Groundwater contamination has been stabilized in its original area. Institutional controls, including zoning restrictions that prevent residential uses, remain in place to protect the cleanup and limit exposure to any remaining contamination. The salvage yard business continued to operate throughout the cleanup and still operates today. EPA completed its sixth Five Year Review on September 17, 2025, confirming that cleanup actions continue to protect public health and the environment as intended.

Community members who want to learn more or ask questions can contact the EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator. Site documents are available at the Washburn Town Office and at the EPA Region 1 Records and Information Center in Boston.