Project:
Former Electronics Manufacturing Facility
Bottom Line: Applied in situ remedial technologies to turn off a 20-year pump-and-treat system for a 1-mile-long large dissolved-phase plume.
Summary of Project
The site formerly contained a facility that manufactured electrical components from the 1960’s to the 1980’s. TCE was detected in soil and groundwater and had migrated in groundwater approximately 1 mile downgradient of the site. Groundwater remediation has been implemented in three aquifers.
- Participated with a team of experts to identify remedial technologies for a “hot spot” area of elevated TCE concentrations. Evaluated technologies and selected in situ enhanced reductive dechlorination.
- Implemented a pilot test and two phases of ERD with bioaugmentation of Dehalococcoides organisms to remediate TCE “hot spots” within the aquifer from over 1,000 ppb to less than 100 ppb. Installed and operated multiple injection and extraction wells to create recirculation cells and maintain sulfate-reducing anaerobic conditions. Confirmed the successful dechlorination of TCE to cis-1,2-DCE and ultimately to ethene.
- Evaluated the life-cycle costs of an existing groundwater extraction system. Recommended changes to the existing air stripping treatment system to increase efficiency and decrease operating costs.
- Used Visual Modflow to model groundwater flow and contaminant migration under multiple scenarios including during pump-and-treat operation and after system shutdown. Currently using the model in negotiations with the agency to turn off the 20‑year pump-and-treat system.
- Prepared design drawings and bid documents for a construction program connecting the system to two 100-gpm extraction wells at the toe of the plume approximately 1 mile from the source area.
- Provided construction management of the program including installation of well vaults, wellhead equipment, piping, horizontal borings beneath railroad tracks and highway, and electrical lines and equipment. Installed more than 1 mile of piping and fiber optic control cable in a farm field and under the railroad tracks and highway.
- Conducted system start-up and optimization; evaluated iron bacteria fouling problems; chlorinated and acid-washed the entire groundwater extraction and treatment system; and installed permanent wellhead chlorination equipment.
- Provided engineering oversight for system O&M including preparing a schedule of operation, maintenance, and monitoring activities performed by a local company.
- Prepared a work plan, provided engineering design and support, and supervised the implementation of a source area in situ chemical oxidation remediation application using injection of 30 percent hydrogen peroxide to treat residual groundwater VOC concentrations.
- Procured underground injection control (UIC) permits from the agency for ERD recirculation and ISCO injection applications.
- Prepared and submitted monthly and quarterly UIC summary reports for ERD recirculation and ISCO injection remedies.