Abstract: Hydrocarbons and other hazardous liquid pollutants, which are lighter than water, leaking or spilling from containers and entering the water table are intercepted by at least one deep driven, small diameter, well. The perforated casing of the well admits water. A water pump in the bottom of the casing establishes and maintains a predetermined water level below the water table level to create a cone of depression therearound, by gravity flow free of any centrifugal separation forces. The pollutant fills the cone and is periodically pumped into a recovery tank by a pump/sensor assembly supported by a winch at the level of the apex of the cone.