Home / Articles / Paducah KY Water Quality: Uranium Gaseous Diffusion Plant and TCE Contamination

Paducah KY Water Quality: Uranium Gaseous Diffusion Plant and TCE Contamination

March 25, 2026
Ohio River near Paducah Kentucky with industrial landscape

Paducah, Kentucky sits downstream from one of the Cold War’s most significant environmental legacies — the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, where decades of uranium enrichment left behind a contamination footprint that’s still being cleaned up today. For the roughly 27,000 residents of Paducah and thousands more in surrounding McCracken County, that history is more than academic — it’s in the groundwater.

The Gaseous Diffusion Plant: A Brief History

The Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) opened in 1952 as part of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission’s uranium enrichment program. Located about 10 miles west of Paducah on a 3,556-acre site, the plant enriched uranium hexafluoride (UF6) for nuclear weapons and later for commercial nuclear power reactors.

Operations continued for over 60 years. The United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) took over operations in the 1990s, and enrichment finally ceased in 2013. The Department of Energy (DOE) retained responsibility for environmental cleanup — a task that’s expected to continue for decades and cost billions of dollars.

During its operational life, the plant generated massive quantities of contaminated waste. Uranium, technetium-99 (a radioactive fission product), trichloroethylene (TCE), and other industrial solvents were released into the environment through spills, leaks, waste burial, and routine operations. The scale of contamination is staggering.

What’s in the Ground

The DOE’s environmental investigation of the PGDP site has documented extensive groundwater contamination. The primary contaminants of concern include:

Trichloroethylene (TCE) — This industrial solvent was used extensively at the plant for degreasing metal parts. TCE contamination has been found in groundwater plumes extending beyond the plant boundary. The EPA’s MCL for TCE is 5 parts per billion, and concentrations at the site have been detected at levels far exceeding that standard. TCE is a known human carcinogen.

Technetium-99 (Tc-99) — This radioactive isotope was a byproduct of reprocessed uranium used as feed material at the plant. Tc-99 has a half-life of 213,000 years and has been detected in groundwater both on-site and in off-site monitoring wells. There’s no specific EPA MCL for Tc-99, but the gross beta particle standard of 4 millirems per year applies.

Uranium — As you’d expect from a uranium enrichment facility, both natural and enriched uranium have been released to the environment. The EPA MCL for uranium in drinking water is 30 µg/L. Elevated uranium levels have been documented in on-site groundwater.

Other contaminants include PCBs, heavy metals, and various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with decades of industrial operations.

The DOE’s cleanup program, managed through its Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office, is one of the largest environmental remediation efforts in the country. Groundwater treatment systems are operating on-site, but the contamination plumes are large and complex.

The Groundwater Plume

Here’s what makes the PGDP contamination particularly concerning for Paducah residents: the contaminated groundwater isn’t staying put.

The plant sits above the Regional Gravel Aquifer (RGA), a highly permeable formation that transmits groundwater relatively quickly. DOE monitoring has tracked TCE and Tc-99 plumes migrating through the RGA away from the plant site. According to DOE environmental reports, the Northwest Plume — the largest off-site contamination plume — extends more than a mile from the plant boundary.

The RGA connects to the Ohio River alluvial aquifer system, which is also the region’s primary groundwater resource. While the city of Paducah’s municipal water intake draws from the Ohio River (surface water), not groundwater, the implications are clear: contamination from the plant is moving through the subsurface toward the river and toward areas where private wells tap the same aquifer system.

The DOE has provided alternative water supplies to some residents whose private wells were affected by PGDP contamination and has installed off-site groundwater treatment systems. The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet oversees state regulatory aspects of the cleanup.

Paducah’s Municipal Water Supply

The Paducah Water utility draws its drinking water from the Ohio River, not from groundwater wells near the PGDP site. This is an important distinction — the city’s surface water intake is upstream of where groundwater discharge from the plant area reaches the river.

Paducah’s water treatment plant uses conventional treatment processes including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorine disinfection. The city’s most recent Consumer Confidence Report shows compliance with all federal drinking water standards.

Key points from recent monitoring:

However, the Ohio River itself carries its own contamination burden. It flows through one of the most industrialized corridors in America, passing chemical plants, refineries, and coal-fired power plants. While Paducah’s treatment plant handles these inputs, the source water quality is a far cry from a pristine mountain stream.

Private Wells: The Real Risk Zone

The greatest water quality risk in the Paducah area falls on private well owners, particularly those located near or downgradient from the PGDP site. Private wells aren’t subject to EPA drinking water standards — they’re the homeowner’s responsibility to test and treat.

The DOE has conducted extensive well sampling in the area surrounding PGDP and has taken action where contamination was found above health-based screening levels. But the contamination plume is still moving, and not every well has been tested for every contaminant.

If you’re on a private well in McCracken or Ballard County, particularly west of Paducah near the PGDP facility, comprehensive testing isn’t optional — it’s essential. The Kentucky Division of Water can provide guidance on testing requirements and certified laboratories.

The Long Cleanup Ahead

DOE’s cleanup of the PGDP site is a generational project. As of recent DOE reports, major remediation activities include:

The cleanup’s timeline and cost continue to grow. Worker safety has also been a major concern — former PGDP workers have filed claims under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) for illnesses related to radiation and chemical exposure during plant operations.

The community has been vocal about demanding transparency and accountability from DOE. Local advocacy groups have pushed for faster cleanup timelines and more comprehensive health monitoring for residents.

What Paducah Residents Should Do

  1. Know your water source — If you’re on Paducah city water, you’re drawing from the Ohio River, not contaminated groundwater. That’s important context.
  2. Test private wells thoroughly — If you’re on a private well anywhere near the PGDP facility, test for TCE, uranium, Tc-99, and VOCs. Don’t settle for a basic coliform/nitrate test.
  3. Accept DOE alternative water if offered — If DOE provides bottled water or a connection to city water because your well is in the contamination zone, take it.
  4. Read the DOE’s environmental reports — The Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office publishes regular updates on cleanup progress and monitoring data. Stay informed about plume movement.
  5. Check for lead in older homes — Paducah’s housing stock includes many pre-1986 homes where lead plumbing is possible. Test first-draw morning water for lead.

Treatment Options

For residents wanting additional protection:

If you’re concerned about your water quality, a certified water treatment professional can test your water and advise on solutions.