When it comes to removing chemicals from ground water surrounding the former IBM facility in Endicott, residents said last night all they care about are results. Representatives from the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation said last night a lot of progress is being made. In the past decade, clean-up efforts have resulted in the elimination of nearly 70 percent of contaminated ground water from the off-site area south of the old IBM Facility. The contamination — mostly TCE — was caused by IBM and other businesses. The area became contaminated over time as the chemicals from the IBM facility and other businesses made their way through the ground water. The DEC has been able to cut down on the chemicals by extracting the contaminated ground water. DEC officials said they will continue using the methods they have already in place to reduce and hopefully eliminate the impacts of vapor intrusion into buildings.
