1.1.1 Incident Category
Time-Critical Removal

1.1.2 Site Description

1.1.2.1 Location

The Precision Plating Corp. Superfund Site is located at the Hillside Industrial Park at 1050 Hartford Turnpike (Route 30), and includes an impacted aquifer in the Town of Vernon, Connecticut.  It is surrounded by a mix of light commercial, residential and undeveloped land.  For expediency, the location of the site will be identified as the Hillside Industrial Park at 1050 Hartford Turnpike in Vernon, Connecticut.  The approximate geographic center of the site is located at N 41° 51’ 5”, W 72° 29’ 24”.  

This Removal Action will specifically address residential and commercial properties where analytical results show concentrations of hexavalent chromium (Cr6) exceeding the Removal Management Level (RML) in drinking water wells.   These properties are all on the portion of the Precision Plating Corp. Superfund Site located along Hartford Turnpike. The term “the Removal Site” will be used to refer specifically to this portion of the Precision Plating Corp. Superfund Site.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

The Precision Plating Corp. Superfund Site is on the National Priorities List.  Sampling and analysis of samples from drinking water wells at the site have identified elevated levels of chromium (including Cr6). 

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

While conducting a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) at the Site, EPA identified five drinking water wells located along Hartford Turnpike, with Cr6 contamination at concentrations above the RML.  EPA’s Remedial Program requested that EPA’s Emergency Planning and Response Branch (EPRB) review and assess the drinking water well analytical data to determine whether a removal action would be appropriate. Based on that data review, a removal action was deemed appropriate.  This decision was documented in a Closure Memorandum dated August 18, 2015.  An Action Memorandum was approved on September 9, 2015.  The Action Memorandum authorizes EPA to take action at the Removal Site to provide an alternate water supply for the residences and businesses served by these five wells.

2.1.1 Response Actions to Date

Starting on November 19, 2015, EPA began providing bottled drinking water as a temporary alternate drinking water supply for all of the residents and employees at the Removal Site.  

Three of the five drinking water wells with Cr6 concentrations above the RML, are located on Hartford Turnpike to the southwest of the Hillside Industrial Park.  These wells provided drinking water to three residences and one commercial property.  During the summer of 2016, EPA connected each of these four properties to an adjacent water main, owned by the Connecticut Water Company (CWC), providing a permanent source of potable water.  EPA subsequently decommissioned the wells for these properties.

In order to provide a permanent potable water supply to replace the two remaining drinking water wells with Cr6 concentrations exceeding the RML, EPA is extending the existing water main which runs beneath a portion of Hartford Turnpike.  EPA's Response Action Contract (RACs) contractor developed design specifications, for use by EPA's Emergency Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractor to sub-contract for the construction of an extension to the existing water main. 

EPA and CWC have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, whereby CWC will incorporate the water main extension into their system upon completion of this removal action.

EPA had scheduled for construction to begin in September 2017.  However, unforeseen issues related to subcontracting resulted in a delay, and EPA decided to postpone construction until  2018.

On June 6, 2018 EPA began construction of the water main extension.  At the end of each work day, temporary pavement is installed on the section of Hartford Turnpike where the water main was installed.  As of 6/19 approximately 550 ft. out of 1,100 ft. of water main has been installed. 

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

Upon completion of the water main extension, lateral connections will be installed for the remaining residence and business property to the Connecticut Water Company system.  Subsequently, EPA will decommission the wells associated with those properties.

 2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Following connection of the properties to the water main extension, EPA  will repair response related damages. 

A portion of these repairs will involve final milling and paving of road surface on the affected portion of Hartford Turnpike.  Connecticut Department of Transportation requires a waiting period of up to 3 months to allow for settling before milling and paving.  EPA expects to temporarily demobilize from the Site, and return to complete these repairs.

2.2.2 Issues

None at this time.

2.5.1 Safety Officer

The OSC is acting as the Safety Officer.

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

The OSC is acting as the Liaison Officer.

2.5.3 Information Officer

An EPA Community Involvement Coordinator has been assigned to the project and is assisting with periodic outreach to the affected residents and property owners.

3.1 Unified Command

EPA

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

CT DEEP

Town of Vernon

Connecticut Water Company

CT DOT

EPA - 1
ERRS - 2
VMS (ERRS subcontractor) - 4
Snyder Engineering (CWC contractor) -1
RACs - 1
START - 1

6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

6.2 Reporting Schedule

periodic