Hanover, NH--As part of the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory's Trichloroeythlene remediation program, the installation has begun a Phase II Remedial Investigation and Baseline Risk Assessment study.
The overall purpose of the investigation is to evaluate the vertical and lateral extent of contaminant migration and rate of contaminant migration in the ground water in deep overburden and bedrock wells at specific locations of concern and to further define the local geology.
The $1.3 million contract, awarded to the Arthur D. Little Company of Cambridge, MA, calls for evaluation of the potential threat to human health and the environment in the absence of any remedial action.
Submission of the final Phase II report is scheduled for March of next year.
In another development regarding the TCE cleanup operation, CRREL has awarded a $3,000 a month contract to T&M Associates of Lebanon, NH, to operate and maintain the existing temporary groundwater treatment plant that since March has been successfully removing the chemical from CRREL's industrial well water. The contract runs until September 30, the end of the fiscal year, at which time a new contract will be negotiated. The new contract will involve continuing to monitor the temporary treatment operation and at the same time monitoring the new permanent treatment operation as it comes on line. Once the permanent site is in operation the temporary treatment site will be shut down and its equipment will be moved to the permanent site as a backup.
Monitoring of the treatment sites involves overseeing maintenance of the treatment facilities and collecting samples of the influent and effluent, reporting that information to CRREL's environmental compliance officer, who then reports the data to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the US EPA.
The permanent treatment plant is expected to be fully operational in January 1994.
The next meeting of the Technical Review Committee is tentatively scheduled for September, at which time preliminary results from the Phase II investigation will be reviewed.