Arsenic Remediation During County Water Service Building Construction

ARSENIC SOIL CONTAMINATION PROBLEM

A County purchased one of the oldest historical foundry and machining manufacturing sites (11.2 acres) in Georgia for the development of a county water services complex. A Phase I Environmental Assessment was conducted by a private consulting firm who reported no environmental risks. A second firm engaged by the County identified significant environmental hazards/risks and recommended supplemental investigations.

Construction contracts were let and demolition commenced before additional investigations were conducted. Multiple explosions and fires ensued and construction was halted.

FOUNDRY ARSENIC REMEDIATION SOLUTION

Remtech Engineers was authorized to mitigate and identify explosives and other hazardous material. The explosive material was determined to be calcium carbide formerly used to generate acetylene.

Remtech’s authorization was expanded to assist the County Board of Commissioners with completing a Phase II and III Environmental Assessment. A myriad of environmental issues were successfully addressed that resulted in completion of the project with minimal contractor delays.

Remtech prepared and implemented a site remediation plan which addressed several complex factors:

• Identification of hazardous materials & unknowns

• Disposal of hazardous materials and wastes

• Onsite destruction of unstable/explosive compounds

• Recovery of recyclable materials

• Background arsenic in soils linked to Appalachia coal

• Worked with ATF to identify suspect civil war ordnance

• Soil & groundwater sampling

• Identification & remediation of underground tankage

• Site remediation coordinated with construction activities

• Provided protective gear and conducted industrial hygiene monitoring of construction workers

• Capped site & controlled arsenic exposure pathways during and following construction

FOUNDRY ARSENIC REMEDIATION COST/BENEFITS

Prepared HSRA notification & mitigation within 30-day period. Prevented site from being listed on State hazardous waste inventory. Provided personnel protective equipment and environmental monitoring of contractor personnel during construction activities. Completed remedial activities in a couple of weeks. Building construction completed with existing contractor with minimal delays.