Former Defense Manufacturing Facilities Site Investigation and Remediation

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Project Details

ETIC conducted site investigation and remediation activities at multiple active and inactive defense manufacturing facilities in California and North Carolina impacted by chlorinated solvents and petroleum hydrocarbons.  Services included the installation of monitoring and extraction wells; groundwater monitoring and reporting; soil excavation; and installation of a permeable wall with zero-valent iron (ZVI) reactive media.

Our Approach

Former Kaiser Aerotech Facility, San Leandro, California

ETIC performed soil matrix, soil vapor, and groundwater investigations in support of comprehensive remedial investigations for the large acreage site.  Having successfully negotiated a focused scope for these investigations with the regulatory agencies, ETIC generated the data needed to evaluate potential risks to human health and the environment, to develop risk-based cleanup levels, and to evaluate remedial alternatives for the site.

ETIC prepared and negotiated approval of a feasibility study work plan to perform extensive pilot testing of several innovative remediation technologies, culminating in a feasibility study which identified best available technologies for the remediation of various dissolved and non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) plumes present onsite.  The feasibility study addressed plumes subject to migration within preferential pathways identified during the remedial investigation and conceptual model development.  Field pilot tests were conducted for high vacuum dual-phase extraction (HVDPE) for aggressive, short-term mass removal in groundwater, in-situ chemical oxidation using modified Fenton’s reagent (hydrogen peroxide and chelated iron catalyst), and in-situ enhanced bioremediation by biostimulation using sodium lactate.  Based on pilot test results, ETIC implemented expanded enhanced in-situ bioremediation pilot programs to address NAPL source areas and associated plumes at the site. Remedial technologies suggested by previous consultants had included large, non-focused groundwater pump and treat systems.

Kaiser Electroprecision, Irvine, California

The site was an active defense manufacturing facility.  Historical chlorinated solvent and petroleum hydrocarbon contamination had been documented by past consultants, including a general definition of the extent of a groundwater plume.  Remedial activities conducted by past consultants at the site had included over 10 years of groundwater extraction and 1 year of soil vapor extraction, and testing of enhanced bioremediation.  Upon successful negotiation of a roadmap to site closure with the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), ETIC conducted a focused source area investigation, resulting in lateral and vertical delineation of a limited solvent and petroleum hydrocarbon source area.  Aggressive remedial efforts were implemented to meet the client’s desired goal of rapid closure.  Efforts were conducted during active facility operations, and included excavation of the source area soil and installation of a permeable wall with zero-valent iron (ZVI) reactive media downgradient of the excavation footprint for the degradation of inaccessible dissolved contaminants, with short-term post-remediation groundwater monitoring of the permeable wall, which demonstrated successful subsurface cleanup.  ETIC submitted the remedial action report and a case closure request, which was subsequently approved by the RWQCB.

Former Kaiser Fluid Technologies, Charlotte, North Carolina

This site was a former defense manufacturing facility.  Historical chlorinated solvent and petroleum hydrocarbon contamination had been documented by past consultants, without identification of the source.  The regulatory agency would have required indefinite groundwater monitoring.  Closure above stringent groundwater use standards could only be achieved via a multi-step regulatory variance process.  ETIC was retained to identify the source, implement remediation to the extent practicable, and apply for state variance, allowing the client’s desired goal of closure without long-term groundwater monitoring.   Efforts included excavation of the source area soil and installation of a permeable wall with zero-valent iron (ZVI) reactive media downgradient of the excavation footprint with short-term post-remediation groundwater monitoring of the permeable wall, which demonstrated successful subsurface source area cleanup.  Groundwater modeling efforts were also conducted to provide additional support that plume movement was limited.  A variance application was submitted to the regulatory agency for review.

Client: Confidential
Location: California and North Carolina
Duration of Project: 2004-2009
Services:

  • Remedial Investigation
  • Site Characterization
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Pilot Testing
  • Regulatory Negotiation