See POLREPs #4 and #5 for Site Description information.
Activities are temporarily demobilized pending arrangements for disposal of the wastes generated during the Removal Action.
The water which had accumulated in the storm inlet located along Bluefield Avenue (which had originated from the westside storm system receiving underground water from the area of the sump and drain in Area 1d) was dyed by the WVDEP. After addition of City water, the dyed water was observed exiting the storm inlet and subsequently observed at numerous locations along the pathway of the area storm drainage system migrating towards Whitley Creek. The activity demonstrates the connection between the Site and the surface water. The street inlet contains a sump.
The ERRS completed removal of contaminated water from the tank vault adjacent to the compressor room (Tank Vault for Tank 116) and the Compressor Room. The pipe connection between the Compressor Room and adjacent Tank 116 vault was found and plugged inside the Compressor Room. A pipe within a sump under the stairs in the southeat corner of the Compressor Room was found to be leaking water into the Compressor Room and was also plugged.
Some of the waters that were pumped from the Compressor Room were pumped into the former degreaser vault. The OSC decided to take this action to prevent the vault from refilling with underground waters that might eventually become contaminated and require treatment. Similarly, once plugged, the Tank 116 vault was used to hold water pumped from the Compressor Room.
Three transformers located in the Compressor Room were removed and drained. Much of the oil had already leaked been displaced by water from the flooded Compressor Room. Existing analytical data indicates that the transformer oil contained only 2 mg/kg of PCB. The oil and water drained from the transformers was contained
in drums.
Remaining water and oil was pumped from the Basement Area of the Site. The ERRS and START contractors accompanied the OSC to evaluate how the Basement Area received and drained water. Numerous drain connections (toilets, sinks, floor drains, etc.) were identified and plugged. Additionally, pipes entering a sump located near the former boiler area were plugged.
Debris within a trench drain in the former loading dock was removed.
ERRS drummed debris removed from the sump and drain in area 3b.
A temporary mechanical plug was placed into the old sanitary system through the manhole located in former Area 4 (High Voltage). This type of plug was used to allow the OSC to verify that the system is disconnected from upstream customers before permanently plugging this feature. The City of Bluefield Sanitary Board believes that customers do not use this line, but that water flowing through the line is simply infiltrating ground water.
Throughout the Removal Action, groundwater was observed infiltrating pipes, drains, vaults, and sumps. This infiltrating water rose to a level approximately 18 inches below the concrete in areas towards the rear of the Site. The water found relief through various drain systems and migrated from the Site.
At the conclusion of the current activities, the ERRS contractor placed the debris removed from the various vaults and subgrade areas into the Basement Area. Concrete pieces were placed on top of the debris to dissuade persons from trespassing into the debris area. Additionally, some contained water was placed into the former Tank 116 vault to minimize the infiltration of potentially clean underground waters into this location.
At the conclusion of the action, the OSC believes that all known constructed drainage features which could have allowed migration of contaminated liquids from the Site were plugged. Although contaminated materials remain at the Site, the potential that the contaminated materials can migrate from the Site through designed drainage pathways has been minimized. Contamination may continue to migrate through underground waters or surface flow over the Site. Plugged features include:
1) sump and drain in area 3b
2) old sanitary line in area 4
3) old storm line in area 4
4) floor trough in area 4
5) sump and drain in area 1d
6) westside storm system at inlet at western gate
7) tank vault 116 pipe
8) Compressor Room pipe and sump
9) Basement Area drains and sump
10) subgrade drain pipe along western limit of former facility.
The only feature found and not plugged at this time is another subgrade drain pipe coursing through former Crane shop #2. Although part of this pipe was found (e.g., along the eastern ceiling of the Compressor Room), its destination and outlet could not be determined.
After initiation of a rain event on August 26, 2008, the surface and storm water locations previously sampled by EPA and the START contractor were re-sampled.
Drums generated during the Removal Action were placed into an on-Site storage container along with pieces of the on-Site treatment system pending return to the Site for additional removal activities and/or disposal of wastes.
Conduct disposal of drums. Evaluate treatment and discharge, further containment, or disposal of the waters contained in the on-Site temporary storage tanks.
Evaluate whether the plug in the old sanitary system can be made permanent.
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