Ohio Ground Water Remediation Case Study

Ground Water Remediation on a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Site

TKEC was contracted by a manufacturer located in southeastern Ohio to assist in investigating spills of chemical(s) of concern (COC) that occurred on their property in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The plume from one spill extended under one of the buildings and another plume was encroaching on the drinking water wellfield of the local municipality.

Following a Consent Order from the OEPA in 1992, this investigation consisted of installing a network of groundwater monitor wells, performing groundwater level measurements and sampling the groundwater for the COCs. A series of monitor wells were installed by others to verify the presence of the plumes.

TKEC became involved in 2003 and installed additional monitor wells to define the vertical and horizontal extent of the contaminant plumes. Over time, at least fifty (50) monitor wells were installed at various locations on the property and in the surrounding neighborhood. TKEC also installed additional wells for augmenting bio-remediation activities. Wells and piezometers owned by the local municipality were also routinely monitored as a part of this investigation.

The Chemicals of Concern (COCs) for this project included pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA). Additional parameters were measured in the field during each sampling event. Additional parameters were also analyzed from some of the samples from selected monitor wells to monitor the progress of bio-remedial activities.

TKEC has performed semi-annual measurements and sampling of the monitor well network at this site since 2003. Natural attenuation and enhanced bio-remediation has significantly reduced the contaminant levels in the plumes. The contaminant reduction was evidenced in recent negotiations with OEPA which resulted in a reduction in the number of the monitor wells to be sampled as well as the frequency of the sampling.

If you experience a release at your site, TKEC’s team of project managers can assist you in defining the extent of the affected area through soil borings and installing monitor wells for testing the groundwater at your facility. TKEC can also design and install appropriate remediation systems for addressing soil and groundwater contamination at your facility. Sampling and monitoring activities can be performed by a variety of methods to document the constituents in the soil and groundwater at your facility and report the results to you and/or the appropriate regulatory agency to suit your needs.