I have come across this problem. over the last 20 years a washing industry has been dumping its tetrachloroethane in small quantities. Recently it was discover that the tetrachloroethane haas formed a 'puddle' at the bottom of the water table below the building . There is about 10 tonnes of the stuff down a far out way. As you properly know the molecule is non-polar so that molecule doesn't dissolve in the water. We now need to remove the chemical. Does anybody have a suggestion on any way/method of flushing the chemical out and being able to collect it? HELP.

A match?

you could add loads of hydrogen to this layer, resulting in ethane and hydrogen chloride.

 

but then youd have acidic water.

 

at least you'd be left a fossil fuel:\

i really need to be able to get all the product and reagents out of the water table as that is going to be a lot of hydrogen chloride potentially in the nearby water system. i dont really want any product to dissolve in the water.

Are you talking about an aquifer with well access? Just pump it out.

The thing is it is a long way down and pumping it out would require a lot of money and could potentially damage the building above it.

Well then I just hope the EPA doesn't find out. I imagine that this stuff isn't good for the environment or people in your area. (Please tell me that this isn't used as a well!)