HomeMy WebLinkAbout20000369.tiff •
(et) 44,444.:r
rh
•
Weld County Waste '
Disposal Site (WCWD)
Ft. Lupton, Colorado Weld County Waste Disposal
Southern Weld County Site
U.S. EPA Region 8, Denver, Colorado January 2000
ABOUT THE WELD COUNTY WASTE Pond E area, a smaller volume was also
DISPOSAL (WCWD) SITE expected to be found in what is referred to as
the Former Receiving Area. In May 1999, EPA
announced that cleanup would be delayed while
The Weld County Waste Disposal site, a former more testing and evaluation of removal options
oil-field brine disposal facility, is located about 3 were carried out.
miles southeast of Ft. Lupton, CO. Due to
concerns about volatile organic chemicals EPA revised the cleanup plan, based on
(VOCs) and salts entering the ground water, in information gathered between September 1988
May 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency and July 1999. The Agency collected close to
(EPA) ordered BP Amoco and HS Resources to 50 soil samples in June, 1999 and determined
conduct an investigation and cleanup of the oil that the amount of contamination was less than
field wastes. The order was issued and carried had been estimated. Several options were then
out under the Resource Conservation and considered for addressing the contamination.
Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA is the federal law In August, 1999 EPA requested public
governing waste-disposal facilities that were comments on a new cleanup plan,which would
active after 1980. dig up contaminated soils and send the majority
off site to a permitted landfill. Soils with high
During the course of their investigations, levels of contamination would remain on site
consultants for HS Resources and Amoco found and require further treatment during the spring
certain chlorinated VOCs in soils and ground of 2000.
water. These compounds were in the area
refered to as Pond E. The former Pond E was STATUS OF CLEAN UP
closed and covered with clean soil in late 1979.
The chlorinated VOCs are not related to the oil Contaminated soils in Pond E were dug up
field wastes being handled under RCRA. beginning on September 30. That work was
Instead,the contaminated soils in Pond E are completed on December 14, 1999. The
being investigated and cleaned up by EPA's average depth of the hole was 8 to 9 feet but in
Superfund Removal Program. some places extended to 16 feet. After each
established grid was dug up,the sides and
EPA REMOVAL PLAN bottom of the hole were tested to be sure that
they met the site-specific cleanup levels set to
In the spring of 1998, EPA conducted its own protect public health and ground water. If the
investigations. Based on the findings,the extent of contamination still exceeded the
Agency recommended that all soils cleanup levels, more soil was removed.
contaminated with chlorinated VOCs be dug up,
thermally treated and replaced on site. While An estimated 40,000 tons of contaminated soils
the majority of these soils were found in the were removed and taken off site to a permitted
anthmLL
G L/1-.31-.010OO 2000-0369 r L D
rd on Recycled Paper
landfill. No soil from Pond E had to remain on FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact:
the site for more treatment due to high
contaminant levels. In addition to the soil, Johanna Miller
550,000 gallons of ground water that had On-Scene Coordinator
gathered in the excavation and contained very U.S. EPA MC: EPR-SA
high levels of chlorinated VOCs was sent off site 999 18'"Street Suite 500
for treatment. Denver, CO 80202-2466
(303)3124804
From time to time during the work, EPA (800)227-8917 ext.6804
monitored air quality to check chemical levels. FAX: 303-3124071
In all cases, levels next to the excavation were E-mail: miller.iohanna(IDepa.00v
well below any health concern.
Ellie Crandall
Remaining work includes excavation and off- Community Involvement Coordinator-
site disposal of soils from the Former Receiving U.S. EPA MC: 8OC
Area. EPA expects that another 3,500 tons of (303) 3124621
soil will be removed from this area. Site E-mail: crandall.elliereepa.nov
restoration will involve backfilling the holes,
regrading to promote drainage, and reseeding Roger Doak
with a native grass mixture. EPA hopes to have Colorado Dept., Public Health &Environment
site restoration complete by the end of March. 4300 Cherry Creek Dr. So.
EPA is still investigating the contaminated Denver, CO 80246-1530
ground water to determine if more work is (303)692-3437
needed to protect private wells down gradient Trevor Jiricek
from the site. This investigation will monitor
ground water wells for at least 6 months after Weld County Health Deptartment
1517 16th Ave. Court
the soil excavation is finished. Greeley, CO 80631
(970)304,11'15 X 2209
'U.S. OFFICIAL MAIL PENALTY a 5!
FOR
JAN 2 5,0 0 PRIVATE 0 .33 USE $300
*
p *
PBMETER -
e
(9)
X50696 U.S. POSTAGEUNITED STATES REGION
PROTECTION AGENCY
999 18TH STREET - SUITE 500
DENVER, CO 80202-2486
Weld County Commissioners
P.O.Box 758 •
Greeley,CO 80632
Hello