Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection contacted EPA Region 1 to inform us of an emergency situation in
Waterford, Connecticut. CTDEEP indicated that there were approximately 200 drums of hazardous substances in an abandoned manufacturing facility, 14 of which
are bulging or leaking. CT DEEP
mobilized a team and retained a contractor to overpack and stabilize the 14 drums. The building has no heat or working sprinkler system. CTDEEP's goal was to stabilize the 14 drums in distress
prior to the arrival of a large winter storm. The facility was allegedly abandoned in May of 2023. The CT CEEP was
the lead government entity for this phase.
The power to the building
has been turned back on.
EPA region 1 deployed an OSC and 2 START personnel to evaluate the site conditions and determine if a CERCLA removal was warranted. See future Pol/Reps for additional information. At this time the building remains without heat or a working fire supression system. All critical drums have been overpacked by CTDEEP's contractor. The remaining hazardous substances appear stable in their respective containers throughout the property. Also observed during the site visit was a full chemistry lab with many labeled and unlabeled substances in small containers. The site is secured and CT DEEP plans to make regular visits to ensure continued stability/security. EPA is working to contact the responsible party and determine if a plan to address the remaining hazardous substances exists and is viable. In the absence of a workable plan, EPA will work with its state and local counterparts to expedite a removal action as future stability concerns may necessitate an emergency action.
