NEWS UPDATE: On September 24, 2007 EPA determined that the physical construction for the site cleanup was complete. (above Photo shows site caps and new building foundation Oct 2007).
The U.S. EPA Record of Decision (ROD) and Preliminary Close-Out Report (PCOR) for the Site were both signed on September 24, 2007. (Both of these documents are available in the Documents Section at the bottom of this web page.)
The ROD’s selected remedy is: No Further Action for site soils, long-term groundwater monitoring, operation and maintenance of caps constructed pursuant to the removal action, institutional controls (ICS) and a Technical Impracticability (TI) waiver for restoration of Dense Non-Aqueous Phase liquid (DNAPL) groundwater. The PCOR signifies the Site has achieved construction complete status. Columbia Borough and PPL are in discussion on the sale of the site property. Columbia Borough has expressed and interest on reusing the property for the Borough’s vehicle parking, vehicle maintenance garage and for the storage of road salt. The removal actions conducted by PRPs included design and construction features in anticipation of this reuse.
Background:
On November 2, 2006 EPA signed an Action Memorandum approving a removal response action for the excavation (as necessary) and proper disposal of contaminated soils, the installation of concrete and asphalt caps at the two (2) acre former gas plant property, and the installation of four (4) additional monitoring wells for the dissolved phase groundwater. The EPA estimated project ceiling is $1.99 million and will be completed in August 2007.
The subsurface soils at the site are contaminated with PAHs and metals, and the site groundwater contains a dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) contaminated with coal tar and PAHs. The dissolved phase groundwater is contaminated with benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), PAHs and cyanide and is a source of contamination for the pre-treated municipal water supply.
On November 29, EPA entered into an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL) Corporation and UGI Utilities (UGI), for their performance of the removal response action at the Site.
The Response Action Plan (RAP) and design drawings for the removal action submitted by the PRPs has been reviewed and commented on by EPA, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), the LCCD, PennDOT, and EPA's Superfund's construction support expertise the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
The removal action was completed on September 18, 2007. The pre-final construction walk-thru was conducted by EPA on September 19, 2007 at 1000hrs.
Actions At Site:
A. March 16, 2007, EPA approved the Building Demolition and bedrock well installation components of the Response Action Plan (RAP) and accepted the Site Specific Health and Safety Plan (HSAP). EPA issued notice to proceed for building demolition and well installation on March 16 2007.
B. The PRP’s contractors mobilized to the site during the week of March 19, 2007. On March 20, 2007 the asbestos survey on the former buildings was conducted and an on-site well MW-03D was abandoned. On March 21, 2007 installation of four additional groundwater monitoring wells began. Bore-hole geophysics and packer testing was utilized during the installation process. The installation of the wells was completed on May 7, 2007. A bedrock groundwater sampling event took place on May 28, 2007. Groundwater monitoring from these bedrock wells placed near the perimeter of the DNAPL Zone TI waiver area will assist EPA and PADEP to confirm that contaminants of concern are not present outside the limits of the DNAPL Zone at concentrations exceeding ARARs. The PRP sent fifty three (53) 55-gallon drums (approximately 21200 lbs) of MGP-related contaminated well cuttings and 9,818 gallons of purge water off-site for treatment at Environmental Recovery Corp in Lancaster, PA.
C. An asbestos abatement on the two on-site buildings occurred during the week of April 2, 2007. Approximately 19.27 tons of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) contained in the building’s roofing and siding was removed and managed in accordance with applicable regulations and properly disposed of at Frey Farm Landfill, Lancaster, PA. Approximately 1,742.87 tons of construction and demolition (C&D) debris from the building demolition and vegetation was also disposed of at the same facility. The demolition of the buildings was completed on April 09, 2007.
D. On May 30, 2007 EPA approved the remaining portions of the RAP and issued notice to proceed for the construction and installation of the two caps and storm water management system at the Site. During the week of June 11, 2007, the PRP's contractor started the installation of the asphalt and concrete caps and storm water management system.
E. The removal action was completed by completing the physical construction at the site. Approximately eight (8) tons of MGP-related contaminated soils are planned to be properly disposed of off-site.
F. The PRP’s contractor and sub-contractors construction performed for the removal action is documented in the document: Draft Removal Action Summary Report, September, 2007.
G. The removal construction activity has been completed in accordance with the approved RAP, Design and specifications.
