OSWER/OSRTI

Washington, DC 20460

NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST (NPL)

[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was evaluated with the HRS. The description may change 

as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination.]

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.

***Proposed Site*** March 2011

CTS OF ASHEVILLE, INC. Asheville, North Carolina

Buncombe County

 Site Location:

The CTS of Asheville, Inc. site is located at 235 Mills Gap Road in Asheville, North Carolina. The property was once part 

of a 66.4-acre tract that was subsequently portioned off during numerous ownership changes. The plant is a large, one-story 

brick building located at the northeast corner of the property, fronting Mills Gap Road.

 Site History:

The CTS of Asheville, Inc. site was operated as an electronic components manufacturing facility and electroplating facility 

from 1952 until 1985. The facility is vacant and is surrounded by fencing. Trichloroethene (TCE) was used in processes at 

the facility and was released through drains in the building.

 Site Contamination/Contaminants:

There is subsurface soil contamination below the building footprint and extending to the south, which is serving as a 

continued source of ground water contamination in the area. The highest TCE concentration in soils (830,000 parts per 

billion) was found at a depth of 32-34 feet beneath the building. TCE contamination in ground water has not been fully 

characterized, and is migrating from the site in an uncontrolled plume in fractured bedrock.

 Potential Impacts on Surrounding Community/Environment:

More than 105 private drinking water wells are at risk within a mile of the site. EPA has identified seven private drinking 

water supplies (one spring-fed and six wells) contaminated with TCE, and has provided alternative drinking water to these 

residents. 

 Response Activities (to date):

In 2004, EPA entered into an administrative order on consent (AOC) with two potentially responsible parties (PRPs) to 

perform a time-critical removal action at the site. In response to the AOC, the PRPs constructed a soil vapor extraction 

(SVE) system which utilized a series of extraction wells and vacuum to extract volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from 

soils beneath the building. The system was completed in 2006, and is estimated to have removed more than 6,000 pounds 

of solvent. EPA continues to monitor 105 private drinking water wells quarterly. 

 Need for NPL Listing:

The State of North Carolina referred the site to EPA because of the contamination detected below the building and because 

of the ground water contamination which PRPs are not addressing. Other federal and state cleanup programs were 

evaluated, but are not viable at this time. EPA received a letter from the state supporting listing of the site on the NPL.