HAZARD WASTE

City Hazardous Waste Landfill Site Hazardous Materials, Waste and Substance Investigations . The WCH EnviroTech's technical hazardous and toxic materials experience includes hazardous waste site investigations, potential responsible party searches of hazardous waste sites, geotechnical investigations, remediation studies, sampling, monitoring wells, and disposal alternative analyses. Sample projects are shown below: Responsible Party Searches at Superfund Sites in the New England States Scope of Work: WCHE served as the prime contractor to the US Environmental Protection Agency on this project that involved a range of activities focused on creating a data base of potential polluters at various Superfund sites in New England. The search ranged from piecing together of inferences and insights gained only after the most exacting efforts to locate relevant information, files, and knowledgeable individuals to the detailed review of comprehensive documentation and interview records regarding hazardous materials' shipments, dumping, and generation. The search involved developing a composite case file based on field investigations, records review, title searches, financial assessments, and interviewing of selected personnel. Document compilation, inventorying, and record analysis resulted in the establishment of databases consisting of as many as 250 PRPs. Cost/Schedule Variance: The project was a cost plus fixed fee contract with a budget of $817,000 covering two years. Due to lack of EPA funding, EPA placed the project/tasks on temporary hold pending funding. Consequently, work was still required on the project at the end of two years and the project was considerably under spent. It was, therefore, extended for an additional year. The total amount spent at the end of three years was a little over $600,000. Site Assessment and Remediation Support Services (Responsible Search Work on Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hazardous Waste Sites) Scope of Work: In this project, WCHE served as a subcontractor to Roy F Weston on a Commonwealth of Massachusetts hazardous waste project. The project required performing preliminary assessments, site investigations, site evaluations, development of remedial action alternatives, and implementation of remedial actions. WCHE managed several tasks under this contract including a Chase/ Southeastern Massachusetts University (SMU) Sewer Easement Site PRP study and a Worcester Contaminated Site PRP Assessment. For the Chase Assessment, WCHE conducted a PRP search to determine the parties involved in polluting a site located on Chase Road in Dartmouth, MA. The site was contaminated with coal gasification process wastes that contained polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and cyanide. While the team found potential polluters, individuals who were known transporters in those days are no longer alive. For the Worcester site, WCHE provided technical assistance support to the legal office and assisted the Worcester DEP office in the compilation of various hazardous materials found on the site. Cost/Schedule Variance: The assessment work assigned to WCHE was for a fixed amount (although the prime contract was a cost plus fixed fee) and our portion of the work was performed for that fixed amount and within the schedule mutually agreed to. Industrial Waste Survey Scope of Work: This project was performed for the US Army Armament, Munitions, and Chemical Command, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ. Industrial wastewaters, produced by the printed circuit laboratory at this command, were being discharged into a small brook running through Picatinny Arsenal and eventually into the New Jersey water system. Picatinny had been cited by the state of New Jersey (its NPDES permit had been suspended) for discharging excessive quantities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals into the New Jersey waterways. WCHE conducted this survey to determine the types and quantities of chemicals being used and released from the plating shop where the printed circuit boards were being produced. Samples of wastewaters were tested to confirm the presence of the VOCs and heavy metals and an analysis followed. The results were summarized in a technical report that recommended the elimination of discharges of the wastewaters into the brook and that the wastewaters be treated to render them safe for discharge into the sanitary sewer system. It was also recommended that the large amounts of aqueous solution being captured in underground tanks for trucking be dewatered, that the precious metals be recycled, and that only the treated residue be trucked away. These procedures were estimated to represent significant cost savings in trucking cost. Cost/Schedule Variation: This project was a fixed price contract and was performed within the budget of $34,000 and on time. No cost or schedule variances were requested or authorized on this project. Solid Waste Management Study-Logan International Airport and Massport Maritime Facilities Scope of Work: The work in this project consisted of evaluating solid and international waste disposal alternatives to develop a comprehensive solid waste management plan that would be environmentally sound and cost-effective for the collection, treatment, and disposal of waste on international ships and air planes. A Massport project, WCHE served as a consultant to R. W. Beck and participated on the project by inventorying current waste types and quantities, evaluating existing solid waste systems, developing minimization guidelines and goals, conducting cost analysis of various alternatives, and recommending implementation. One method of collecting data was to interview ship personnel who were aboard ships docked at the Massport Maritime Facilities about their waste practices. Cost/Schedule Variance: The project was a fixed price requirement and was performed within budget and on time. Installation of Observation Wells Scope of Work: WCHE performed this work under the Construction and Maintenance Center, Exxon USA. The work involved investigating, developing site plans, and overseeing the installation of observation wells at 15 Exxon service stations in various locations in Eastern Massachusetts. The purpose of the project was to drill groundwater monitoring wells for monitoring groundwater contamination at these service stations. It included subsurface soil and groundwater testing and analysis. The final report to Exxon included the results of the drilling and testing including well locations, boring data associated with each well with depths, soil boring logs, and site photographs. Cost/Schedule Variance: This project was a fixed priced requirement and all work was performed within the established budget and in accordance with the schedule. Site Assessment and Remediation Support Services Scope of Work: WCHE served as a subconsultant to HMM Associates on this Mass DEP hazardous waste contract. The project required the conduct of remedial actions (preliminary assessments, site investigations, development of remedial action alternatives, and implementation of remedial actions). WCHE conducted several tasks under this indefinite quantity contract. For the Shaw's Plaza task, WCHE conducted a preliminary assessment consisting of site reconnaissance, review of existing documents, development of ownership history, and interview of knowledgeable personnel. Information on groundwater monitoring wells, surface water, soil, septic tank, and town water supply wells was collected and evaluated. Collected information was evaluated and presented to the State in a report reflecting the status of the site. For the Mansfield Bleachery site near Foxborough, MA, an assessment was made to assure the protection of health, safety, the public welfare, and the environment from oil and hazardous materials contamination. The WCHE team conducted a perimeter survey, reviewed existing documentation, and prepared a historical record of ownership of the site. Test results, surface water, and pit samples were evaluated and all information collected were summarized in a technical report to the Mass DEP. Cost/Schedule Variance: This project was a cost plus fixed fee contract. For each task that WCHE performed, a proposed budget was established and schedule developed. WCHE performed all tasks within its assigned budget and within the established schedule. Bennington Landfill Site This site, Bennington, VT, was originally a soil borrow area and has been in operation as a municipal landfill since 1968. Large quantities of industrial liquid and solid waste (including heavy metals, waste oils, solvents), were deposited in an unlined disposal area between 1968 and 1979. Residential wastes from approximately 20 communities have continued disposing their wastes at the site. Volatile organic compounds and metals detected in nearby bedrock wells were linked to the waste stream of several local machine shops in operation between 1968 and 1979. Seventy-one entities were connected with the disposal of potentially hazardous wastes at the site. Of these, twenty-one were considered PRPs at the time our report was completed. The task involved: (1) collection of pertinent documents from federal, state, and local agencies; (2) preparation of a historical summary; (3) a title search; (4) the conduct of interviews, (5) a preliminary classification of PRPs; (6) an assessment of liability; and (7) a report summarizing the findings. RI Municipal Landfill Site For this investigation, the principal PRP was the city, with other contributors following the city's lead. The site had operated at various times as fallow or active farmland, as a sand and gravel excavation pit, as a municipal landfill, and as a disposal area for liquid (generally sewage) wastes. A solid waste transfer station is currently operating on the premises. The landfill facility covers approximately 70 acres. The groundwater contamination problem that drew the attention of EPA stemmed in part from the disposal of certain industrial wastes. Groundwater contaminants identified in nearby wells corresponded to adhesive wastes deposited at the site by a local manufacturer, with authorization from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Several PRPs were identified and notified of their potential liability under CERCLA with respect to the site. The process for identifying the PRPs included: CT Groundwater Contaminated Site For this investigation, the focus was on groundwater supplies and soil at the site and at adjacent properties contaminated with chromium wastes. Improper waste storage and a spill occurring approximately ten years prior to our investigation contributed to the contamination problem. Three parties were identified as potentially responsible for the chromium discharges at the site. The task involved: (1) collection of pertinent documents from federal, state, and local agencies; (2) preparation of a historical summary; (3) a title search; (4) compilation of information on abutting properties; (5) a financial assessment on the owners and other PRPs; (6) interview of selected individuals with knowledge about the waste site and (7) a report summarizing the findings. Our report provided information about the original site usage, property ownership, industrial activity, waste handling practices, extent of the contamination, environmental enforcement, remedial measures, and the current site condition as of the report date. Chase Road SMU (MA) Sewer Easement Site For the Chase Road/SMU Sewer Easement Site PRP Investigation, WCHE conducted a PRP search to determine the parties involved in polluting a site located in Dartmouth, MA, on Chase Road, in which SMU had a sewer easement. The site was found to be contaminated with coal gasification process wastes that contained polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and cyanide. These wastes were deposited on this site as cinders, ash, or gas wastes as far back as 40 years. While a local gas company may have produced the wastes, they were apparently transported to the site by local hired truck transporters who have since deceased. WCHE reviewed the existing evidence, conducted file searches of historical records, and interviewed living relatives of individuals who had been mentioned as possible PRPs. The local gas company denied having wastes transported to the site and none of the living interviewees could directly link the gas company or private individuals to the contamination. Individuals who were known transporters of materials in those days are no longer alive. WCHE summarized its efforts in a report to Mass DEP. This report reflected our review of existing documents and records, our review of agency files and records, information discovered from old newspaper, libraries and individuals, information from obituaries of Chase Road residents, and information from interviews of other personnel believed to be knowledgeable about wastes on the Chase Road Site. While the focus of the investigation was to verify or gain additional information concerning facts and individuals identified in the report, an attempt was made to improve circumstantial evidence as well. The amount of time that had passed since the occurrence of the events, at least 40 to 50 years prior to our investigation, made this gathering of information very difficult. Nevertheless, we were able to summarize a fairly good depiction of what occurred.