Description
Historical activity that resulted
in contamination.
| The Roxy Cleaners inactive hazardous waste disposal site was an operating drycleaning facility from 1959 until about 1988. Roxy Cleaners continues to operate a distribution center on the site. Located in a mixed commercial/residential area, Roxy Cleaners is one of two business tenants occupying a 35,000 ft 2 lot on the Corner of Main Avenue and Orchard Terrace. The plant used perchloroethylene (PCE) as the drycleaning solvent throughout its operation. In 1984, an unreported spill of 55 gallons of PCE allegedly occurred outside, near the rear of the building. Other undocumented events and practices occurred during the period of operation which may have contributed to site contamination. In 1989, Roxy Cleaners reported PCE contamination in the private water supply well that they shared with adjacent commercial tenants. A survey of private wells in the area found that 16 private wells were contaminated with levels in excess of the drinking water standard. Carbon filters were immediately placed on all impacted drinking water wells. A soil gas survey was used to map groundwater contamination and adjacent buildings were screened for indoor air contamination. Unacceptable levels of PCE were found in the basement of one building and a venting system was installed. |
Contaminants
Contaminants present and the highest amount
detected in both soil and groundwater.
| Contaminant |
Media |
Concentration (ppb) |
Nondetect |
| Tetrachloroethene (PCE) |
groundwater |
13,000 ppb |
|
| Tetrachloroethene (PCE) |
soil |
2,920,000 ppb |
|
| Trichloroethene (TCE) |
groundwater |
120 ppb |
|
| Trichloroethene (TCE) |
soil |
105 ppb |
|
| 1,2-Dichloroethene |
groundwater |
150 ppb |
|
Site Hydrology
| Deepest Significant
Groundwater Contamination: |
|
12ft bgs |
| Plume Size: |
|
|
| Average Depth
to Groundwater: |
|
11ft |
Lithology and Subsurface Geology
Pathways and DNAPL Presence
 Groundwater
 Sediments
Soil
DNAPL Present
|
Remediation Scenario
Cleanup
Goals: |
|
To reduce the mass and concentration of contaminants in groundwater; to control migration of the groundwater contamination; and to reduce the generation of contaminated soil gas vapors near the site.
|
Technologies
In Situ Soil Vapor Extraction |
|
Date implemented:
SVE system installed as IRM in 1992.
Final remediation design:
Soil vapor extraction (SVE) was installed to remediate the on-site source of contamination in the vadose zone as an Interim Remedial Measure during the remedial investigation (RI). The system was installed around the Roxy Cleaners building, removing 346 lbs of PCE in eight months and reducing PCE concentrations in soil to below 425 µg/kg. A venting system was installed in an adjacent building with soil gas levels concerns during the RI. This system was discontinued after the SVE was completed.
Results to date:
Immediate - Construction of the basement venting system and installation of GAC filters on impacted wells removed unacceptable exposures until the final remedy could be implemented.
Soil - The SVE system reduced vadose zone contamination levels to acceptable levels. The soil cleanup objective for PCE was 1.4 µg/kg, and confirmatory sampling indicated residual levels were a maximum of 0.425 µg/kg.
Groundwater - Overall, the on-site and off-site groundwater extraction system has reduced levels of contamination approximately 50% in the last three years; however, levels in one of the three extraction wells has actually increased. Levels are still two orders of magnitude above the groundwater standards.
Cost to Design and Implement:
$1,690,000 for all technologies
|
Ex Situ Air Stripping |
|
Date implemented:
SVE system installed as IRM in 1992. Groundwater extraction system and GAC filters installed in 1997.
Final remediation design:
Soil vapor extraction (SVE) was installed to remediate the on-site source of contamination in the vadose zone as an Interim Remedial Measure during the remedial investigation (RI). The system was installed around the Roxy Cleaners building, removing 346 lbs of PCE in eight months and reducing PCE concentrations in soil to below 425 µg/kg. A venting system was installed in an adjacent building with soil gas levels concerns during the RI. This system was discontinued after the SVE was completed. Three groundwater extraction wells were installed. Two wells (one bedrock and one overburden) were installed on site in the source area to exert hydraulic control, and one will be installed off site in the overburden to reduce mass, reduce vaporization to soil gas, and control groundwater migration. A waterline extension was constructed to provide a source of uncontaminated drinking water to impacted and potentially impacted residents. Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters were maintained on the impacted wells until the waterline extension was completed.
Results to date:
Immediate - Construction of the basement venting system and installation of GAC filters on impacted wells removed unacceptable exposures until the final remedy could be implemented.
Soil - The SVE system reduced vadose zone contamination levels to acceptable levels. The soil cleanup objective for PCE was 1.4 µg/kg, and confirmatory sampling indicated residual levels were a maximum of 0.425 µg/kg.
Groundwater - Overall, the on-site and off-site groundwater extraction system has reduced levels of contamination approximately 50% in the last three years; however, levels in one of the three extraction wells has actually increased. Levels are still two orders of magnitude above the groundwater standards.
Cost to Design and Implement:
$1,690,000 for all technologies
|
Ex Situ Carbon Adsorption |
|
Date implemented:
Groundwater extraction system and GAC filters installed in 1997.
Final remediation design:
A waterline extension was constructed to provide a source of uncontaminated drinking water to impacted and potentially impacted residents. Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters were maintained on the impacted wells until the waterline extension was completed.
Results to date:
Immediate - Construction of the basement venting system and installation of GAC filters on impacted wells removed unacceptable exposures until the final remedy could be implemented.
Soil - The SVE system reduced vadose zone contamination levels to acceptable levels. The soil cleanup objective for PCE was 1.4 µg/kg, and confirmatory sampling indicated residual levels were a maximum of 0.425 µg/kg.
Groundwater - Overall, the on-site and off-site groundwater extraction system has reduced levels of contamination approximately 50% in the last three years; however, levels in one of the three extraction wells has actually increased. Levels are still two orders of magnitude above the groundwater standards.
Cost to Design and Implement:
$1,690,000 for all technologies
|
Ex Situ Pump and Treat |
|
Date implemented:
Groundwater extraction system and GAC filters installed in 1997.
Final remediation design:
Three groundwater extraction wells were installed. Two wells (one bedrock and one overburden) were installed on site in the source area to exert hydraulic control, and one will be installed off site in the overburden to reduce mass, reduce vaporization to soil gas, and control groundwater migration.
Results to date:
Immediate - Construction of the basement venting system and installation of GAC filters on impacted wells removed unacceptable exposures until the final remedy could be implemented.
Soil - The SVE system reduced vadose zone contamination levels to acceptable levels. The soil cleanup objective for PCE was 1.4 µg/kg, and confirmatory sampling indicated residual levels were a maximum of 0.425 µg/kg.
Groundwater - Overall, the on-site and off-site groundwater extraction system has reduced levels of contamination approximately 50% in the last three years; however, levels in one of the three extraction wells has actually increased. Levels are still two orders of magnitude above the groundwater standards.
Cost to Design and Implement:
$1,690,000 for all technologies
|
Costs
Cost
for Assessment:
|
|
$635,000 (IRM cost $233,000) |
Cost
for Operation and Maintenance:
|
|
$177,000 |
Total
Costs for Cleanup:
|
|
|
Lessons Learned
1. A comprehensive approach is needed.
2. While drycleaner sites are similar, they are not the same.
|
Contacts
Jim Harrington
New York Department of Environmental Conservation
11th Floor
625 Broadway
Albany, New York 12233-7012
518-402-9755
518-402-9722 (fax)
jbharrin@gw.dec.state.ny.us
|
Site Specific References
1. Phase I and II Hydrogeologic Investigation, Roxy Cleaners, Spill No.89-01208, Empire Soils Investigation, Inc. July 1990
2. Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (3 volumes), Roxy Cleaners, Metcalf and Eddy, October 1991
3. Roxy Cleaners Vacuum Extraction Final Project Report, July 1993
4. Record of Decision - Roxy Cleaners Site 4-42-024 March 1994
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