Tata & Howard assisted the City of Melrose, MA with the removal of two underground storage tanks (USTs). Tata & Howard engaged the services of a qualified environmental contractor to excavate, remove, and dispose of an out-of-use UST on City property. During the excavation, a team member from our environmental services group observed a second fill pipe indicating the potential presence of a second UST. Upon further investigation, a second undocumented UST was found and the decision to remove both at the same time was made. Tata & Howard team members observed the UST removal activities, submitted confirmatory soil samples for laboratory analyses, prepared the MassDEP UST removal forms and submitted the forms to MassDEP and the Melrose Fire Department within 30 days of the UST removals. Tata & Howard also prepared a summary letter report for the site, which includes a summary of activities performed and conclusions and recommendations with regard to Massachusetts General Law c. 21E and the Massachusetts Contingency Plan.
Licensed Site Professional (LSP) Services in Melrose, MA
In November 2015, during the replacement of the water main along Tremont Street, an odor was noted emanating from the trench excavated to install a temporary water supply to the City of Melrose Department of Public Works (DPW) building. A reportable release condition was subsequently found at the property and a former gasoline pump dispenser is the suspected source of the release.
Tata & Howard provided Licensed Site Professional (LSP) services for the project that included the observation of a test pit, drilling soil borings, installation of groundwater monitoring wells, soil sampling, and groundwater sampling. The initial soil sampling results indicate the presence of residual gasoline contaminants at concentrations exceeding the applicable Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Reportable Concentrations. Therefore, Tata & Howard assisted the City with notifying MassDEP of the release.
Soil borings were drilled and soil samples were collected to delineate the extent of the release and to assess the source of the release, which is suspected to be a former gasoline dispenser that was removed in 1999. Tata & Howard conducted a Method 1 Risk Characterization to evaluate the risk of harm to health, safety, public welfare, and the environment posed by the presence of residual gasoline contaminants in soil. The results of the Method 1 Risk Characterization indicate that a condition of No Significant Risk exists for current and future foreseeable activities at the Site and an Activity and Use Limitation is not necessary to maintain a level of No Significant Risk. Tata & Howard prepared a Permanent Solution with No Conditions Statement to document these findings and submitted the report to MassDEP.
Lead-Contaminated Soil Remediation in Falmouth, MA
The Town of Falmouth retained Tata & Howard to remediate lead-contaminated soil associated with historical firing range activities at a former gravel pit owned by the Town. Due to the gravel pit’s location within a current drinking water source area, the objective of the remediation was to restore the release to background and remove the potential threat to the underlying groundwater quality. In addition, the presence of estimated habitats of rare wildlife and priority habitats of rare species at the gravel pit required the filing of a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the Conservation Commission and implementing measures to protect the rare wildlife and species. Tata & Howard prepared a site-specific scope of work for bidding purposes and managed all the field activities. Part of the remedial action plan was to screen the soil in an effort to remove the lead bullets and facilitate disposal of the contaminated soil at a Massachusetts lined landfill. Analytical testing of the soil revealed that some areas contained leachable lead, which required stabilization with Portland cement prior to being transported to the landfill. During the excavation activities, Tata & Howard utilized a field portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer to obtain real-time concentrations of lead in soil. Use of the XRF minimized contractor down time because decisions relative to the extent of excavation required could be made in the field. Confirmatory laboratory analytical results correlated well with the XRF data. Tata & Howard prepared a Permanent Solution with No Conditions Statement, which documents that a condition of No Significant Risk has been achieved at the Site and that the release conditions have been restored to background.
By utilizing a 2014 revision to the regulations, Tata & Howard achieved permanent closure for a commercial developer on a Site in Wilmington, Massachusetts. The contaminants of concern at the Site are chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs). The CVOCs were detected in June 1994 as part of a due diligence assessment for bank financing, and the sources of the CVOCs are from prior operations at the Site that utilized chlorinated solvents to clean electronic parts. These compounds were released to the environment through improper disposal and leakage from the equipment that was used onsite.
Remedial activities were performed at the Site to reduce the concentrations of CVOCs in soil and groundwater, and in August 2000, a Class C Response Action Outcome (RAO) was filed with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) as a Temporary Solution. The Class C RAO concludes that there was “No Substantial Hazard” to human health, safety, public welfare, or the environment caused by the contamination at the premises. However, the ultimate goal was to achieve a condition of “No Significant Risk” and file a Permanent Solution. Because this was just a Temporary Solution, groundwater monitoring of selected wells continued through 2015 to demonstrate that conditions at the Site continued to support the No Substantial Hazard conclusion.
The hurdle to achieving No Significant Risk was overcome in 2014 when MassDEP revised the regulations to allow the use of active vapor intrusion mitigation systems to achieve a Permanent Solution. In May 2015, T&H filed a Release Abatement Measure (RAM) Plan for the installation of a sub-slab depressurization system (SSDS) at the Site. Based on more recent data, six points and radon type fans were installed to develop a negative pressure field beneath the western portion of the building that would mitigate the intrusion of CVOC vapors into the building. T&H also installed a remote telemetry system equipped with an alarm that will notify MassDEP and the owner of the building if the SSDS fails due to loss of power, mechanical issues, or other disruption of the system.
The building is primarily comprised of office and commercial warehouse space, and an Activity and Use Limitation was implemented as part of the Permanent Solution to prohibit more sensitive uses in the future, such as daycare or residential.
In November 2015, Tata & Howard provided peer review on work that had been completed at a former lumber mill, and all documentation that had been prepared to date was reviewed. The primary concern was an area where pressure treated lumber had been stored, as the lumber was treated with chromated copper arsenate and the residual arsenic concentrations in soil were very high. The previous recommendation was to put a deed restriction (specifically, an Activity and Use Limitation or AUL) on the area to limit the exposure. Because the planned future use for the property is to convert the existing mill building into residential condominiums, this approach was inadequate. In an effort to find a more suitable solution, T&H obtained and analyzed additional soil samples from this area and found that less than 200 cubic yards had been affected. The contaminated soil can be removed for under $30,000 and will bring residual concentrations below that allowed for residential use.
Because the mill is located on a brook, a filing with the local Conservation Commission was required. T&H suggested that, due to the limited work being done and the fact that the affected area is separated from the brook by a retaining wall, an Abbreviated Notice of Intent (ANOI) would be sufficient. The Conservation Commission agreed, and the ANOI was approved at a Public Hearing. T&H is currently in the process of preparing a Release Abatement Measure (RAM) Plan, which must be submitted to the MassDEP prior to excavation.
During the first onsite project meeting, T&H noticed a dam located in front of the mill building which the client acknowledged was out of compliance and would likely result in financial penalties. T&H contacted the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and requested an extension for the completion of the dam inspection, assuring DCR that the inspection would be completed in a timely manner. DCR agreed to waive the penalties, and the inspection report was completed in January 2016.
Tata & Howard provided environmental services to a private client relating to the removal of three fuel oil underground storage tanks (USTs) in Massachusetts. The project included observation of excavation activities associated with the removal of the USTs, collection of soil samples in accordance with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP’s) UST Closure Assessment Manual, and screening for total organic vapors (TOVs) with a photoionization detector (PID). We then prepared a summary letter, which included a summary of activities performed, and conclusions and recommendations with regard to Massachusetts General Laws c. 21E and the Massachusetts Contingency Plan.
CHALLENGE: Lead contaminated soil at site in Franklin, MA
CLIENT: Private client in Franklin, Massachusetts
PROJECT: Brownfield remediation
THE CHALLENGE: The Town of Franklin, MA planned to develop a site to be used by the Parks & Recreation Department. However, several potential environmental concerns were identified at the site.
THE SOLUTION: Based on information provided by the Town, Tata & Howard performed subsurface evaluation services to assess the potential presence of oil and hazardous material in soil and groundwater at the site, including the following:
Evaluated the site and found contaminated fill material under the building;
Evaluated the significance of our findings with respect to Massachusetts General Law c.21E and the Massachusetts Contingency Plan 310 CMR 40.0000; and
Prepared a Subsurface Evaluation Report for the site, which included a summary of activities performed, site figures and data tables, and conclusions and recommendations.
T&H then coordinated the removal of the lead contaminated soil, which contained hundreds of battery casings. The soil was treated onsite to stabilize the leachable lead, then transported to the Turnkey Landfill in Rochester, NH for disposal.
PROGRESS: Since it has been remediated and the Brownfield is now a Greenfield, the Town has purchased the site and begun renovating for future use as an indoor recreation facility. T&H filed a Permanent Solution report with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) in October 2015.
CHALLENGE: Water Storage Tank Painting, Cleaning in Residential Setting
CLIENT: City of Worcester, Massachusetts
PROJECT: Chester Street 0.5 million gallon water storage tank painting, cleaning, and rehabilitation
THE CHALLENGE: The Chester Street water storage tank required evaluation, repair, cleaning, and painting of both the interior and the exterior. The tank is located in a heavily populated residential neighborhood and the exterior surface had high levels of lead in the paint. Therefore, special attention to lead contamination, noise, and construction debris was required. In addition, determination of the effects of taking the tank offline were required before any work could be started.
THE SOLUTION: Analysis of the Super High Service Area using the verified hydraulic model was conducted, and the model was run under extended period simulation (EPS) to evaluate the potential pressure problems within the service area. As a result, operational modifications to the existing pump stations and service zones were recommended. Working only during daylight hours while keeping noise and debris to a bare minimum, construction crews completed miscellaneous repairs including replacing the anchor bolts, installation of overflow support brackets, modification of the access ladder, modification of the roof ladder, repair of the upper level sway rod, extension of the balcony handrail, installation of a roof handrail, and replacement of the roof finial vent. During the exterior abrasive cleaning, a containment system was utilized to prevent lead from getting into the air and soil. Once all repairs and cleaning were completed, the interior and exterior of the elevated tank were painted.
PROGRESS: Two years later, the tank is still in pristine condition, as shown in the photo above.
CHALLENGE: Prioritizing Water System Improvements with Limited Resources, Mountainaire, AZ
CLIENT: Ponderosa Utility Corporation, Arizona
PROJECT: Mountainaire asset management based water distribution system study to assist with prioritizing water system improvements
THE CHALLENGE: Mountainaire is a small water distribution system with limited manpower and revenue resources, and the operation and maintenance of the system is often reactive rather than proactive.
THE SOLUTION: We successfully helped secure WIFA funding for the completion of the study which provides guidance to the PUC on how the system operates, what improvements are needed for efficient operation and continued maintenance of the system, and a prioritized approach to assist in funding and implementation of projects. This asset management based water distribution system study addresses undersized deteriorating water mains, above grade assets, and the energy efficiency of the pumping system. The study evaluates the system as a whole, based on above grade and below grade assets. Above grade assets are evaluated based on remaining useful life expectancy. Water mains are based on hydraulic capacity, criticality, and risk of failure. A hydraulic model was created for the study.
PROGRESS: Using the findings of the study, we are currently providing engineering services to evaluate flow and pressure requirements for the existing Kiowa Site booster pump station in order to construct a constant pressure pumping system to replace the existing booster pump and hydropnematic tank system that is old and failing.
Close up of completed SSDS mitigation fan and manometer.
CLIENT: Former Commercial Dry Cleaner, Framingham, MA
PROJECT: Remediation of chlorinated solvents from former dry cleaning operations
THE CHALLENGE: At this former wholesale dry cleaner, the client spent over $250,000 installing an asphaltic barrier and new floor over the barrier in an effort to prevent volatile organic compound (VOC) vapors from affecting indoor air quality. This system was recommended by a prior consultant who subsequently found that the barrier did not sufficiently reduce the vapors in the indoor air to make the building safe for reuse.
THE SOLUTION: T&H recommended sub slab depressurization systems (SSDSs), which are similar to radon systems, to redirect the vapors from beneath the building to the atmosphere. The cost of four SSDSs was $10,000 and the VOCs in the indoor air were reduced to negligible concentrations. T&H then assisted the client as an expert witness to recover costs from the prior consultant and their installation contractor.
PROGRESS: Site closed out and the property has been sold.
UST Removal in Melrose, MA
Licensed Site Professional (LSP) Services in Melrose, MA
Lead-Contaminated Soil Remediation in Falmouth, MA
Environmental Services, Wilmington, MA
Environmental Services and Dam Inspection in MA
UST Removal in Massachusetts
