Please refer to POLREP’s #1 and #4 for details.
1. Response activities to date
After a series of meetings with the Hartford Work Group (HWG) respondents in the Summer/Fall of 2003, the U.S. EPA requested that Work Plans be submitted and site activities commence during negotiations of a final AOC. Representatives from U.S. EPA and Illinois EPA continue to meet with the HWG technical committee once per month in addition to monthly teleconferences.
Vapor Related Activities
- Determined the status of current operations and maintenance activities regarding the existing SVE system including a series of vacuum tests to determine the vacuum influence exerted upon the vapor control boring’s and corresponding vapor probes.
- Provided control of vapors into selected residential living spaces by interim protection measures.
- Conduct investigation for petroleum pipelines and utility lines contaminant migration pathways and how they relate to the Mississippi River.
- To date, a total of 86 homes have been inspected for “needs assessment” purposes.
- Oversee the pilot testing for interim control of petroleum vapors from an internally and externally installed sub-slab de-pressurization systems. Oversee PRP conducted tracer gas studies for in-home vapor protection systems effectiveness.
- Due to vapor intrusion into the Village of Hartford Community Center, an investigation to determine the cause and a series of vapor probes were installed adjacent to the Community Center. Additional vapor sampling wells and use of Gore-Sorber™ screening capabilities to measure the extent of petroleum vapors will be utilized.
- Representatives from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) have completed the quarterly air sampling activities using summa canisters. An ATSDR fact sheet is currently in development reflecting IDPH’s air sampling results.
- U. S. EPA stipulated that elevated levels related to lower explosive limits must be ventilated to mitigate the potential of explosive vapor concentrations invading into the Village sanitary sewer system.
- A portion of a deteriorated sanitary sewer line along Watkins Street was replaced in April, 2004. This street has previously experienced a high frequency of residential vapor complaints. START observed and recorded oil impacted residuals from the deteriorated municipal sewer line. This documented observation further demonstrates actual or potential impacts to the Mississippi River.
- The U.S. EPA requested revisions upon the needs assessment procedures had greatly improved the manor by which information is collected on individuals homes and the speed at which interim response measures are to be provided.
- The HWG has completed the replacement to the 12 vapor extraction wells that were plugged.
- The HWG has submitted a conceptual design for expansion of the existing soil vapor extraction system. 3 additional vapor extraction wells were installed along E. Watkins Street related to the future expansion of the vapor extraction system.
- The HWG has committed to capital improvements related to the thermal treatment unit used to destroy the collected petroleum vapors. Furthermore, the HWG has initiated connections to the new SVE wells and construction of the manifold pipe network related to the phased SVE expansion program.
Groundwater Related Activities
- Install 5 sentinel wells for Village of Hartford wellhead protection purposes. These wells have been sampled in January, April, and September 2004 with no impact discovered.
- Investigate the lateral extent of free product hydrocarbons with the Working Groups recommended random optical screening tool (ROST™ ). Review ROST™ data and evaluate the lateral extent of the free phase hydrocarbon plume.
- Oversee the pilot tests for free product hydrocarbon removal and “bio-slurping” hydrocarbon removal.
- Oversee the ongoing pilot testing of a multi-phase hydrocarbon pumping system utilizing “bio-slurping” technology which started on May 17, 2004 and completed on July 30, 2004. Two locations were evaluated.
- The HWG has presented a portion of the raw data for conceptual site groundwater modeling (CSM) purposes. The CSM will be updated as data is collected and will help determine and measure the impacts to the area wide regional groundwater and Mississippi River.
- At this time, the U.S. EPA awaits visual information depicting the vertical extent of the dissolved phase hydrocarbon plume. This conceptual site model (CSM) information is to be updated as new geotechnical and groundwater plume data becomes available.
General Project Activities
- A public availability session and U.S. EPA sponsored public meeting including presentation was held on March 19, 2004. Residents provided comments to a court reporter. A second public availability session was held on July 8, 2004 to communicate the HWG offer for the planned basement ventilation fan installation offer.
- U.S. EPA has participated in the development of a formal program with the local fire department to prepare for and respond to vapor intrusions through the 911 emergency notification system.
- The language related to a formal access agreement between the HWG and the residents is no longer an issue.
- U.S. EPA Headquarter’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (ORSTI) provided a comprehensive report that included critical information regarding project geotechnical and geochemical requirements. The report also identified existing data gaps with plume investigation including recommendations how to optimize the overall nature of the PRP conducted investigation activities, data objectives, and for both short-term and long-term project goals.
Vapor Related Activities
- Future actions will include continued vapor removal utilizing the existing SVE system.
- Oversee vapor migration pathway assessment and related investigations.
- Expansion of the existing soil vapor extraction system will occur in various stages over a longer time frame. While this effort was recently initiated, the phase construction schedule will continue at this time.
- Measures will be taken to deploy a large sub-slab depressuration system at the Hartford Community Center.
Groundwater Related Activities
- Oversee petroleum pipeline and utility line investigation activities and continue to assess their interactions upon fate and transport of vapors and free-phase hydrocarbons in the shallow subsurface.
- Oversee dissolved phase investigation activities.
Vapor Related Activities
- Future actions will include continued vapor removal utilizing the existing SVE system.
- Oversee vapor migration pathway assessment and related investigations.
- Expansion of the existing soil vapor extraction system will occur in various stages over a longer time frame. While this effort was recently initiated, the phase construction schedule will continue at this time.
- Measures will be taken to deploy a large sub-slab depressuration system at the Hartford Community Center.
Groundwater Related Activities
- Oversee petroleum pipeline and utility line investigation activities and continue to assess their interactions upon fate and transport of vapors and free-phase hydrocarbons in the shallow subsurface.
- Oversee dissolved phase investigation activities.
- U. S. EPA has issued a response to public comments obtained during and after the public meeting held on March 19, 2004. As a result of comments provided during the public meeting, the U.S. EPA has committed to a more active role in the implementation of the required needs assessments.
- Residents represented by counsel have recently allowed oil company agents into the homes to perform the required initial needs assessment.
- The current ceiling using OPA funds is $249,000.00. As the project progresses additional reimbursable monies will be needed from the oil pollution fund in order to maintain current levels of efforts.
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