The Somers Plating, Inc. site (the site) is bordered to the north by a corn field; to the east by a wooded area and a corn field; to the south by residential properties, and to the west by Springfield Road. Geographic coordinates of the site are latitude 41 59 23.0 north, and longitude 72 26 51.5 west, as measured from the approximate center of the site. The site formerly operated as a metal working shop/plating facility, a gasoline service station, an ecumenical school, and a day care center.
There are two unoccupied on-site buildings, and it is suspected that underground storage tanks (USTs) used by the gasoline service station may have been closed in place. An asphalt-paved parking area largely surrounds the western building, and borders the eastern building on the western and northern sides. Three discreet islands of grass surrounded by pavement are located adjacent to the eastern and western sides of the western building, and north of the eastern building. The eastern portion of the site ranges from wooded near the southern boundary, to partially cleared in the central portion, to corn field in the northern portion.
In June 1998, analysis of a groundwater sample collected from the on-site drinking water well indicated the presence of cadmium at a concentration of 0.011 milligrams per liter (mg/L), which exceeded the Connecticut General Statutes cadmium standard of 0.005 mg/L.
In October 2000, analysis of five surface soil samples collected at the playground area of the then operating day care center indicated the presence of cadmium at concentrations ranging up to 75 parts per million (ppm), which exceeds the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP) Residential Direct Exposure Criteria (DEC) of 34 ppm.
In November 2000, analysis of 25 surface soil samples collected at the site indicated the presence of cadmium at concentrations ranging from non detect (less than 1.0 ppm) to 120 ppm, nine of which exceeded the CT DEP Residential DEC. Based on initial results, three soil samples with the highest concentrations of cadmium were analyzed by Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP) analysis. Analytical results indicated cadmium concentrations ranging from 0.046 to 0.076 mg/L, all of which exceed the CT DEP Pollutant Mobility Criteria (PMC) of 0.005 mg/L.
In November 2003, the presence of metal hydroxide sludge lagoons at the site was identified by exploratory excavations conducted by a consultant for a potential buyer of the property. The lagoons were reportedly closed by being covered with gravel fill on an unspecified date. Samples of the lagoon sludge were collected for volatile organic compound (VOC) and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) metals analyses. Analytical results indicated the presence of VOCs at concentrations ranging up to 18.4 ppm (4-isopropyltoluene), and cadmium at a high concentration of 11.4 mg/L.
