Investigators first found high levels of PCB's near the RDU Airport in the 1970s. Since then, the chemical seeped into Lake Crabtree and has moved four miles downstream, causing warnings to go up about eating fish from the water.
The EPA blames pollution from the Ward Transformer facility. Now, more than 100,000 tons of contaminated soil at the plant near RDU needs to be treated.
"The important thing now is to get rid of the source," said EPA manager Luis Flores.
The effort to get rid of the contamination is expected to start within the next few months. Flores presented options to community members on Wednesday night.
"All alternatives are safe and technologically sound," said Flores.
The first option is a process called thermal desorption, where contaminated material would be heated to a level that the harmful chemical would evaporate.
Raleigh city attorney Tom McCormick said the city is not convinced the desorption is the best plan.
"We just need more information if it will be safe, if material will be oxidized on-site," said McCormick.
McCormick said the desorption plan is better than the alternative of filling hundreds of dump truck with the material and hauling them out of the state.
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