On behalf of the NIBW Participating Companies, Motorola Solutions manages environmental cleanup activities at the NIBW site. Designated in 1983 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the site is impacted by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), principally trichloroethylene (TCE) from historical operations conducted by several companies at various locations.
Soil remediation was complete by 2015. The groundwater plume extent has decreased substantially since remediation began in 1994. The final remedy for the site has been in place since 2013 and has been deemed protective of human health and the environment. Read our fact sheet to learn about the site history and features, the extent of TCE impacts to groundwater, and remediation system operations.
TCE is present in groundwater beneath the NIBW site in three aquifer units, referred to as the upper alluvium unit (UAU), middle alluvium unit (MAU), and lower alluvium unit (LAU).
Little TCE remains in the UAU. The amount of TCE in the MAU has decreased since remediation began in 1994. MAU groundwater flows toward the western margin and into the LAU, and is remediated using three extraction and treatment systems. See how the MAU plume has changed over time in this video.
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The amount of TCE in the LAU has also decreased since remediation began. LAU groundwater flows northward due to regional groundwater pumping near McDonald Drive. The LAU plume is remediated using three extraction and treatment systems. See how the LAU plume has changed over time in this video.
Watch videoThe NIBW Participating Companies, SRP, City of Scottsdale, US Environmental Protection Agency, and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality collaborate to control human exposure to VOCs and reduce concentrations of VOCs in groundwater over time.
Government agencies have conducted independent health studies which have all concluded that groundwater at the site presents no current health risks to people who live and work in the area. Learn about these in our Health Studies Fact Sheet.
We use proven technologies to extract groundwater and treat it to remove VOCs. Groundwater is pumped from a network of wells and conveyed to five treatment facilities at the site. Our map shows the components of the extraction and treatment systems.
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ)
As required by Superfund, the USEPA coordinates work for the NIBW Superfund Site with the ADEQ. ADEQ provides technical input and oversight of work performed by the NIBW Participating Companies.
US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
The USEPA is the lead agency for the NIBW Superfund Site. The USEPA provides oversight of work performed by the NIBW Participating Companies and manages work performed by USEPA contractors.
City of Scottsdale
The City of Scottsdale operates water treatment facilities and provides clean drinking water to residents in their service area. The NIBW Participating Companies routinely coordinate with the City.
Information about the site background, hydrogeology, cleanup technologies and treatment facilities.
Summarizes monitoring program data and a remedy performance evaluation for 2022.
The Feasibility Study Addendum (FSA) was prepared to select the most effective remedy for the site.
Summarizes monitoring program data and a remedy performance evaluation for 2023
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