PROJECT OVERVIEW 1

U.S. EPA Brownfield Pilot Assistance Project
Conducted for the City of Taunton, MA
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment

Introduction

Under the US EPA Brownfield Assistance Program, Atlantic Environmental Technologies (AET) prepared a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for 491 West Water Street in Taunton, MA. This site, within Taunton's historic Weir Village, is the largest land parcel in this area of the City. The fifteen-acre property had been used for industrial purposes continuously dating back to 1850. Historical uses included an iron foundry, machine shop, stove manufacturing and a leather tannery. Historical uses for the surrounding properties were also industrial in nature. The objective of the Phase II ESA was to delineate the nature and extent of contamination at the site and to determine the need for further remedial measures.

Site Characteristics

Site characteristics, including depth to water, geology, topography and hydrogeologic conditions were determined during several previous studies conducted on the site. These studies were conducted by the US Dept. of Agriculture and various environmental consulting entities. This site-specific information was reviewed and interpreted into the Phase II ESA.

AET Subsurface Investigation

AET supervised the completion of geophysical survey activities at the site including ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic (EM) surveying. These technologies are used to find potential locations of buried objects, most importantly drums and/or underground storage tanks.

AET conducted a test pit investigation of soils at the site to characterize the nature and extent of contamination in the soils with potential environmental impact to a nearby brook. Ten test pits were excavated to depths ranging up to ten feet and soil samples were collected and submitted for laboratory analyses. Test pit soil samples were analyzed for RCRA 8 metals, MA VPH and EPA Method 8260 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and MA EPH and EPA Method 8270 semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). Filter cake and numerous animal hides were uncovered during test pitting operations, presumably left behind by the tannery operators.

Soil Boring Advancement

AET directed the advancement of twenty-five (25) soil borings to depths ranging from seven to fifteen feet. One (1) inch diameter microwells were installed in nine of the soil boring locations to allow for groundwater assessment. For each soil boring, soil samples were collected continuously from the surface to the bottom depth. Soil samples were screened in the field using ThermoEnvironmental 580B photoionization detector and the jar headspace procedure. Select soil samples with elevated headspace readings were submitted to a Massachusetts-certified laboratory for analysis of RCRA 8 metals plus chromium, MA VPH and EPA Method 8260 VOCs, and MA EPH and EPA Method 8270 SVOCs.

Groundwater Sampling

AET collected groundwater samples from the nine new monitoring wells and eight previously existing monitoring wells for laboratory analysis. After appropriate well purging, groundwater samples from each monitoring well were collected and submitted to a Massachusetts-certified laboratory for analysis of RCRA 8 metals plus chromium, MA VPH and EPA Method 8260 VOCs, and MA EPH and EPA Method 8270 SVOCs. Surface water samples were also collected from the nearby brook for laboratory analysis.

Results of Subsurface Investigations

Groundwater contaminants including dissolved metals, barium and VOCs were detected. All concentrations were below the applicable MA DEP Method 1 GW-2 / GW-3 groundwater Cleanup Standards. Soil samples exhibited several parameters exceeding applicable Method 1 standards including VOCs, SVOCs and metals. Lead was detected in the brook. This was attributed to an upstream source.

AET Recommendations

• AET determined that groundwater remediation at this site was not necessary or required.
• AET determined that SVOCs/PAHs in soil exceeding Method 1 Cleanup Standards would fall under the coal ash and wood ash exemptions and were not MA DEP regulated.
• AET determined that elevated levels of metals (chromium and lead) in soil near the brook should be addressed via excavation and/or soil stabilization under a Release Abatement Measure.
• AET determined that filter cake/sludge material containing lead, chromium and benzene should be removed and disposed in accordance with MA Hazardous Waste Regulations.
• AET determined that sediment contamination along the brook was attributable to "local" conditions due to heavy commercial use of all of the surrounding property. A long-term remedy for contaminated sediments would have to be addressed as part of a comprehensive remedial and flood plain management plan for the brook.

AET Conclusions - Brownfields Redevelopment

Redevelopment of the northwest section of the property as a manufacturing facility is currently being considered. Soil and groundwater quality at this portion of the property is within MA DEP Cleanup Standards and a condition of No Significant Risk (as defined by the MADEP) therefore exists.