An apparatus for removing underground contaminants from a contaminated subsurface area (16) is provided. The apparatus includes releasing and/or recovering means in the form of a wellbore (12), which is aligned in the contaminated subsurface area (16) for releasing predetermined substances into selected areas of the contaminated subsurface area (16) so that the substances and contaminants are intermixed and for recovering the intermixture of substances and contaminants from selected areas of the contaminated subsurface area (16). A means (83) is provided for rotating and sliding an inner housing (68) of the wellbore (12). Predetermined substances are injected into the wellbore (12) and vacuum is applied to the wellbore (12) so that the intermixture of substances and contaminants can be extracted from the contaminated area. The intermixture of substances and contaminants are then collected and/or stored for subsequent removal in a tank (28).