Groundwater Protection in Selected Countries
2. Point Sources
| 2.1 | Number of Sites |
| 2.2 | Time frame for clean-up |
| 2.3 | Costs |
In the USA, there are federal agency-based programs, state-based programs and voluntary clean-up programs for contaminated sites. In the following, the federal programs Superfund and RCRA are discussed.
2.1 Number of SitesListed sites
Information regarding the number of sites listed in the above-mentioned federal programs is shown below:
 | The total number of sites on Superfund’s National Priority List (NPL) in March 1999 was 1,446. It is expected that approximately 200 additional sites will be listed during the next 5 year period (Evison, 1999). |
| The total number of RCRA sites is currently about 5,500. Of these, 1,700 are considered high priority (Donovan, 1999). |
Remedy completion
In March 1999, construction of the remedy was completed at 599 of the Superfund NPL sites. At some of these sites, operation such as pump and treat or cap maintenance is continuing. (Means, 1999).
Few RCRA sites have obtained "clean closure" requirements.
2.2 Time frame for clean-upSuperfund receives a budget annually and a specific time frame for the length of the program is not available. The current feeling is that a Superfund Program, possibly in a reduced form, will be necessary for many years to come (Means, 1999). Current estimates suggest roughly 40 new NPL site proposals each year.
Since its focus is on proper management of wastes, the RCRA is considered an on-going program.
2.3 CostsSuperfund
Funding of the Superfund program varies from year to year. In 1999, 1,0 billion USD were received to maintain central headquarters and 10 regional offices as well as site specific work such as:
| screening sites for further study |
| listing sites on the NPL |
| studying risks at these sites |
| evaluation the feasibility and deciding among clean-up options |
| conducting the clean-up work itself |
| overseeing activities carried out by other parties |
| conducting emergency response actions at NPL or other sites |
About 70% of the clean-ups in the Superfund program are paid for by the responsible parties (polluters). Overall, 15,5 bill USD have been contributed to the program by polluters. This means that about 1,0 bill. USD pr. year is directed to the program in addition to the federal Superfund budget.
Finally, approximately 0,5 bill. USD are appropriated for the following Superfund related activities:
| addressing enforcement issues (settling with polluters) |
| research and development activities |
| supporting other federal agencies that play a role in clan-up work |
RCRA
Clean-up under the RCRA program is financed by the individual polluters. Specific data on costs were not obtained.