United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region I
POLLUTION REPORT



Date:
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
From:
Alex Sherrin

To:
Sean Carney, RI DEM

Subject: 

Wanskuck Mills
715R Branch Avenue, Providence, RI


POLREP No.:
1
Site #:
01EM
Reporting Period:
Mar 4 to Aug 15, 2008
D.O. #:
Start Date:
8/11/2008
Response Authority:
CERCLA
Mob Date:
8/11/2008
Response Type:
Time-Critical
Demob Date:
 
NPL Status:
Non NPL
Completion Date:
 
Incident Category:
Removal Action
CERCLIS ID #:
RIN000105853
Contract #
RCRIS ID #:
 

Site Description

The Wanskuck Mills Power Plant building consists of a former power mill for the former Wanskuck Mills complex located on Branch Street in a mixed residential, commercial and industrial area of Providence, RI.  The mill is no longer operating and is in disrepair.

At the request of the local Providence Fire Department, on June 27, 2007 EPA inspected the Wanskuck Mills Site with the RI DEM representatives.  During the inspection, approximately ninety 55- and 30-gallon drums and two hundred 5- gallon pails were observed with labels indicating the contents were hazardous substances (i.e., xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl benzene, toluene, etc.).  Samples from four 55-gallon drums indicated the presence of solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone (7,110 ppm), ethylbenzene (10,610 ppm), xylene (65,090 ppm), and toluene (186,670 ppm or 18.6%).  Asbestos analysis of a potential asbestos containing material (ACM) on the floor indicated the presence of 25% amosite and 5% chrysotile asbestos.  Based on the analytical data and current site conditions, a time critical removal action was recommended to the address the hazardous substances in the Site Investigation Closure Memo dated 11/16/2007.


Current Activities

On 4/24/2008, the Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) (CERCLA Docket #01-2008-0058) became effective.  The Potentailly Responsible Party (PRP) hired a contractor to conduct the work, and they submitted the Health and Safety Plan, Work Plan, and Community Relations Plan.  By June 23, 2008,EPA approved all of the Plans and requested the PRP to begin the work.  The contractor mobilized to the site on August 11, 2008, to collect samples from the drums for waste characterization.  The contractor anticipates receiving the data by August 28, 2008.


Planned Removal Actions

The wastes will be removed from the site and disposed of at an appropriate disposal facility.


Next Steps

When the contractor receives the analytical data, they will solicit bids for disposal of the wastes.  In accordance with EPA's off-site rule, EPA will approve of the disposal facility before the wastes are shipped.


response.epa.gov/wanskuckmills