In 1988 the Colorado Department of Health required a remedial action plan from the Graphics Packaging Company, a subsidiary of Coors Brewery, located near Boulder, Colorado.  It was found that groundwaters beneath the site had been contaminated with acetate and toluene.  Both of which were in use at the facility. 

     Process controls had been instituted, which would eliminate the source of any further groundwater contamination.  Nonetheless, the plume of acetate/toluene contaminated groundwater was of significant concern.  As project manager for Coors Environmental Engineering at that time, Dr. Ruocco was assigned to investigate the possibilities of remediation at the site.  Excavation was impractical; most of the land owned by Graphics Packaging was occupied with processing facilities.  Neighbors were also industrial firms, most of whose facilities were located close to the site. 

     Pump and Treat Technology was investigated as one possible avenue for remediation.  Detailed investigation of monitoring wells indicated the presence of methane in the groundwater.  Contaminant transport studies, coupled with further analyses at monitoring wells, enabled the project manager to develop a proposal for the natural in-situ bio-remediation of acetate and toluene.  From the available data it was evident that acetate was being converted to methane anaerobically in the sub-strata.  This reaction is very common in methanogenic anaerobic systems.  It is in fact, the basis for methanogenic wastewater treatment systems.  It was also evident from the plume data, that toluene was co-metabolized in-situ.  A report and proposal was submitted to the Colorado Department of Health requesting that a 'monitor only' program be utilized at this site.  That proposal was accepted and remedial action beyond monitoring has not been necessary.  Natural bio-degradation, given the removal of contaminating sources, has been effective in cleaning the groundwater at this site.