Bandera Road Ground Water Plume

Overview

Two former dry-cleaning facilities in Leon Valley, near San Antonio, Texas, released chemicals into the soil and groundwater beneath the area. The site was added to the EPA's National Priorities List (NPL) in March 2007. Four public water supply wells sit within about 1.1 miles of the contamination, though residents are already connected to city water supplies, which limits their direct exposure to contaminated groundwater.

EPA has identified 13 contaminants of concern at the site. The main chemicals are tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE), both of which were found in groundwater, soil, and air. Other contaminants include vinyl chloride, several dichloroethene forms, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, and toluene. These substances were found at levels that pose unacceptable risks to human health or the environment. PCE and TCE are present above federal drinking water standards.

The 2013 Record of Decision selected the cleanup approach for the site. That plan calls for soil vapor extraction to treat contaminated soil, bioremediation to address groundwater in the Austin Chalk Aquifer, and vapor barriers or passive ventilation systems to protect indoor air in buildings above the plume. Before full cleanup began, EPA and the Edwards Aquifer Authority plugged and abandoned improperly constructed wells near the contamination. Temporary vapor mitigation systems were also installed. Active remediation started in September 2022 and is currently scheduled to run through August 2025. Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (also called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) is supporting the groundwater restoration and soil vapor extraction work.

Groundwater migration at the site is considered stable, meaning EPA has determined the plume is not discharging to surface water at unacceptable levels. However, the human exposure performance measure is listed as "No," meaning unsafe contamination levels have been detected and people could potentially be exposed. Physical construction is not yet complete. A five-year review is estimated between March and May 2028. Five businesses currently operate on parts of the site, employing 13 people and generating about $1.26 million in annual sales.

Community members can get involved through the Bandera Road Community Advisory Group, established in 2007. The group holds public meetings where residents can give input to EPA on investigation and cleanup decisions. More information is available through the Leon Valley, Texas website. Community questions can also be directed to EPA's Community Involvement Coordinators or Remedial Project Managers.