avco lycoming (williamsport division)

652 OLIVER ST

The 28-acre Avco Lycoming site, located in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pa., has produced aircraft engines for over 50 years. The plant reclaims Varsol, a petroleum solvent, and has operated a waste treatment facility since the early 1950s. According to state officials, poor housekeeping practices apparently led to contamination of the site. Monitoring wells on the site, off-site downgradient wells, and a well field 3,000 feet southwest of the site, are contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE). Shallow groundwater beneath the facility property was also contaminated with chromium. A municipal well field located 3,000 feet to the southwest of the site is used as a backup water supply under drought conditions. This water system is protected by air stripping. There are approximately 34,000 people living within three miles of the site. Private wells within three miles of the site serve 2,500 people. The site is located near pristine stream environments, including a trout stream.