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Tank Car Corporation of America

All POLREP's for this site Tank Car Corporation of America
Oreland, PA - EPA Region III
POLREP #14
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On-Scene Coordinator - Michael Towle 4/11/2009
Time-Critical - Removal Action Pollution Report (POLREP) #14
Start Date: 1/29/2007
Pollution Report (POLREP) #14
Site Description
See previous POLREPS for Site description information and a summary of the removal site evaluation (characterization) conducted to date.  

The Site property continues to be used by numerous businesses for storage of equipment and materials.


Current Activities
During the week of March 23, 2009, the buried tank car was removed from the ground.  Subsequently, visually and obviously contaminated soil immediately adjacent to the buried tank was excavated, transported from the Site and disposed.  The excavation area was backfilled with clean fill and all activities relating to the soil obviously contaminated by the tank were completed by April 1, 2009.

EPA conducted exploratory excavations into the area in which 3 buried tanks previously removed by TCCA were located.  The excavations indicated that the former tanks likely leaked due to areas of obvious contamination.  In addition to encountering clean backfill, steam hoses, wood, plastic, and other debris were also encountered at depth. These contaminated soils will not be removed as part of the current actions.

EPA has initiated discussions with SEPTA to gain access to the railroad right of way in order to continue the characterization of the contamination at the Site.

EPA is coordinating with Springfield Township.  Part of that effort involves an attempt to determine how surface waters and shallow underground waters are able to leave the Site.  An underground pipe is suspected in the SEPTA right of way, but it is currently buried by sandblasting grit that as washed off the TCCA Site.

A meeting relating to the Site was attended by EPA on April 9, 2009.  A variety of community concerns relating to this Site and the EPA activities were expressed.  

The excavated tank was covered to address odor concerns.

EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continue to coordinate to determine the next actions to occur at the Site and which organization will direct or conduct these actions.  


Planned Removal Actions
No further EPA-directed removal actions relating to the soil and buried tank are currently planned.  EPA is however, planning for the removal of old fuel-related materials remaining in tanks and evaluating the need for additional removal actions pending final review of available analytical data and consultation with DEP and technical evaluators.

Next Steps
Additional assessment of sandblasting waste material deposited at the site, including upon the SEPTA railroad right of way and other adjacent properties, is planned for Spring 2009.  This activity will hopefully be conducted in April, but may be conducted in May 2009.

Installation of additional ground water monitoring wells is planned for April or May 2009.

EPA and DEP are evaluating the next actions for this Site.

A fact sheet is planned and a future community meeting is likely.