HETfcJfK: 673-6950 · 2020. 12. 11. · of Groundwater Pollution gh Well #2 Saecertovm Sorouoh, Cravford County \ 1J12 *ate* Street '•heacivllU PA lo33S HETfcJfK: 673-6950 jjuly

of Groundwater Pollutiongh Well #2

Saecertovm Sorouoh, Cravford County

\ 1J12 *ate* Street'•heacivllU PA lo33SHETfcJfK: 673-6950jjuly 2, 1932

of borough Well #2 S

Tnru: CMiefV Operations Sectionnc*1 Water Quality Mgat.

ocrt S. SterbeA^-o Jar-ies EL\Erb, P.E.'nydrogeolegist V > ' ReqionaVJWater Quality ManagerBureau of iiatpr u^alitv K^naopna^nt Bureau of tfat^r Quality

Introductioni

Since April of 1930, the Bureau cf hater Quality rianageraent nas detected at.

least eleven different organic solvents in tfte ciroundwater beneatn tne Borough

of Saeqertov.,-. Also, abnormally hig.i concentrations of certain inorganic

constiiuants sucn as lead, cooper, cnroa£, nickel, zinc and manganese. Two

solvents, Tricnloroethylene (TC£) and 1,1,1 Trichloroethane are the most co.Tnon

conia'ninants. Tns concentrations of TCE were nic1^ enougn (oetween 330 - 23J

nicrocrarns/Lin tne aorougn's public ».ater supply well #2, that trie well was pu^

cul of service in June of 193'). In tnc- fall of 132J, the Bureau of »aterI

Quality Kianagejn^nt1 s Hydrogeologist commenced an investigation to determine the

source of the solvent conta/nination cf the Borough well £2. The sources of con

tamination have been isolated. The source of TCE is originating from the area

benind (*est) of S*£, and the source of the 1,1,1 Tricnloroetnane froa the »rea

near the solvent storage area of Spectrurr, Control. The concentration of

solvents in tn<? cround^ater has drana^ically decreased since 1^3J. As of April

25, 19JZ, the »oroucr; veil f^ i»as d TCE cone .ntration o^ 11 micrograras/L.

240293- t -

Chronology of Events

In April of 193.) a routine inspection of Huchson Chemical Coapany was conducted

Ly Jx- *illiam3. Water wuality Specialist Trainee. During thii inspection ai

sa.siplt of 'non-contact* cooling v.ater discnarg? was collectej. Tn1s coolinq

vater is discharged to art unliriec! inooundnier.t wnlch is in hydraulic con-.aunication *1tn local groundwaters. Analysis of the samples revealed the pre-

sence of twelve (12) different volitale organic solvents. Among tnese solvents

e and 1,1,1 Trichloroethant were oresent.

After further investigation and water sampling by Joe Williams and the writer,

it »as detertninned tnat at least elgnt (3) of the twelve organic solvents fouiK

in tiijghson's cooling »«ater discnarct were present in t:»<? Sorougri's water supply,i

urno i; usfcd by huahson for cooling water.

j/..t tnis point it snoulci be noted that Saecertowri's water syster. is made-up o^

tnrec hater nells, dll of v."*iic>» a^e approximately fifty fee-t deep. Too trt-lls

drav »;atar fro^ an alluvial/g<acio-f luvial/glacio-lacusterlne aquifer.i

Texturally, this aquifer 1s nade of unconsolidated sand>, and oravels with

interb-dded silty-fine sand and gravel and occasional clayey-silt lenses. In

general this typt of .material can yield large quantities of water, due to Us

jiigM uer.afcai.-i 11 ties and nicn porosities. Hoover, tnis type of aquifer can be

easily polluted fro.:i surface sources.

in June- of 1:JJJ. ti>e Department notified Saegerto><rr eoroucn ot the organic

solvents 1?» tntir vater supply. Also, a "ooil vater" notice was issued at tnat

titat. The borough ther; acquired the services of a hydroyeologic consul lam. \ yU^&»

and Associates, to find the source of the pollution.

2402S4

In addition, tne bureiu of Coaraunlty Environmental Control and the Bureau ofiSolid Waste Management were requested to Investigate the groundwater pollution.

Suose^ent water sampling by Mood> and CEC isolated tnc TCE as cor.inc from or.ly

ont ol tne Ecrouc^'s tnree *ater supply wells. That well being well f2.

Snortly thereafter *£ll $2 vas tafcen out of service and continually puaped to

Moody directed their attention to a forwer site of a railroad tank, car cleaning

facility. Tr*? facility once owned by General American Tank Car, was put out of

service in the late 1960's. hoody constructed a total of five groundwater socni-

torina wells or. th-2 site of this facility, however, water saraples taken froc,

tnese wells did not indicate the presence of any volitale organic solvents in

the groundwater. Moody also sampled two wells north of the General Arasrican

site. Both of wnicn contained nigh levels of TCE. Ont well was on the property

of Saeoertonr Kanufacturing Corp. Tnis well was one of tb'c aanitoring teells Sf i

constructed after cleaning us a large oil spill in July 1979. Tne other well

was an observation well for an old water supply well once used by tne "Orville

Kill-, Plant" ROW owned by Spectrura Control.

In the fall of 193G, the BirfQM entered the investigation. Two surveys were con-

ducted by Dwignt Ralpn »Q5, and tne writer, one 1n November and one in December

ot 193j. Botn detailed nydrogeologic studies, and comprenensive. sampling was

conducted. Trȣ results of trv study definitely rules out all other sources for

tnt pollution, except for S'nC and/or Spectrum Control.

ARI00322

240 5

At this line the writer requested both Spectrum Control and S?C to construct

additional «cnitorin<> wells. SMC refused to do so. Spectrum Control compliedj

bj constructing two additional

Sa^linr. of th* Uo additional Soectrur. Control wells *a» done in February 193i

alone- i-'itri s am? nines cf other wells in the area. The results of this samp-line

furtner defines; the pollution as oriqinatir-i *rna two scurry •;. Tf?*= I,1 T

Tricnloraethane »pp»ars to be coming from the vicinity of the Spectra* Controli

solvent storage shed. Tne source of the TCE appears to be fros the vicinity

DC hind (wfc$,t) rf SKT.j nn tt*? nroperty r>< Sv-2.

In Karen of 19il.Dv.ight Ralpn again requested SriC to construct additional «^ni-

j \ torinc. wells. Aoain $*•£ refused.

—I !Also, in March of 19dl, the Borough hired Dr. Walter Ebaug«i, hydrogeologic con-

-t, to conduct a groundwater investigation to determine tne source of TCEi I, contaninatior.

i

i i

In September of 19el, SKC was ordered by the Department to construct three adcJi-i

tional morn tor LIP wells. SKC appealed the Order, however, agreed with tne

uepartoant to construct 2 of the 3 wells. The wells were constructed ini

hove^wcr lail. Samples taken on Noveisber 23, 1931 by tne writer, froa theI

existin? and ne» wells better defined tne source area of the contamination.

: In K,arc:i of 15J^, t»e. Bcrouan began to pus? the urville hiU Plant Well to

i v.aste., it. ari attempt to prevent the TCE for?" migrating towards tne Borough hell

In April o* 1932, tne writer-collected samples fron the S.*C and

_ i torlna vclli. these result* o* ttiis sampling indictte that tne conceniratioi. of• - solvent iti the groundi.ater }»3i drai^atically decreased in tnt oast year.

24029G

Nature of hydrpgeolocic Investigation "~"

Ont of tne first objectives ot in? nydroqt-oloaist1 s investigation was to deter-

cine ths direction ot grou!iJ*atf' Hov. 1t< tne vicinity o* Borough well fJ1.

jrigir.ally tne hDorly Kecort (1931) maintained tnat tne radius cf tn<:- cone 01

influence of Borouort Ksll f? extender to at least B-J-J ieet and thui could be

ted bu **»e &-.TX $1t*., To* vrit»r rnndLirt.^ dptailpo water lev^I

ts in various wells (Figure 1) in the vicinity throughout the Fall and

Winter of 19cJj. Tnis data coupled vith an accurate base nap, and well eleva-

fior.G vv.cr. &ar. Surveyed by ?.cssrt kossi cf tr?& Plar:n'i'''.c SfCtior, cortrdH •»•:•*:•? \

tne woody Report. ' First, tne cone of influence of tne- Barouan Well >2 has a

aaximuTi radius cf influence of 15J feet. Secondly, groundrfater f lov:v fron tne

area of ShC towards Well ft. There is no evidence of any croundv>ater flo*- path-

fro-. tne vicifiity of feATX towards Borough Well 12. A aap depecting groundvater

elevations is provided 1n Figure 2.

in adjitior. to kno*inj groundv-ater flov; paths and direction*, an understand in-.!

of the distrioutiou of the contamination is essential. Tnererore, detailed

sa.Toling for volitile organic coopounds (VGA), and certain inorganic compounds

was conducted 1n the area of a period of nearly two years. A sussaary of tha VJA

sampling is provided in Taole II. A sunrjary of the inorganic sampling 1s given

ir, Tai-lfe §2.

Th: ICE concentrations were highest in tnc vicinity of tne Sr'C *1 Well and the

'jfvillo i^iiU Plar.t *tll. Thi concentrations attenuated ai, t.fi nroundnater

flowed towards tto^ouTn well ti. This coridition is shov-r. o;: Ficur* ^J. Fiyure-:.

,5,6 and 7 sno* TCE concentrations over a 16 nonth p?riod 1rt''$&yp&j>£F'Zty%

•until April of 19ti2. Fiaure 13 is a grannical reoresentatior: of tne. TCE con-

centration ii. Borouq" well t2 c.1ncf Junr O'f

2402,97

FIGURE 1 \

Map showing the location of wellsand monitoring wells in theSaegertown area.

/$bQOO

//

A-

N

FIGURE 2'•. \

Map sh twing elevation of water tablein the vicinity of Borough Well #2,

. during November 1980.

™i

_J _

]

/ ?/ **J

\ 1

I GATX f5~ »I ARI00326

I // /

240299

\ - - 3 -

! TA3LE 1

Suramary of volatile organic sampling of wells ant! monitoring wsllsI in Sag?rto'.-ri fro.-n November 19iJ thrcugn April 19£>2

DATt

| : |

5'r)ro *c-li #2

3! -0 OD5, *Z

-,uro »ell *'l

•,t U Pit. Wall

'.r U PH. UJi.

j35 House i*i.ll

LP^^EtSv

jpectrun Westi s i:L_1" fl

.O: *2 :

i'«t »3 :>'. : Kk. — :

•ATX #2

i/JX fb '

.rrti T.W. *.>

..n/12/dr

133/7

31/4

K5

Ni

16J/11

NJ

N5

NS

23J/H-

r<jNS

N3

NO

hj

hS

12/3/3:lt>b/13

39/3

Tk/3

KS

30.J/4J

hS

NS

N3

K'"-» J

NS

f,5

NS

NS

N3

i«3

12/13/S}

NS

39/7

1/i

55/19

325/3i

S5

NS

NS

KS

hi

fcS

KS

hS

NS

NS

12/d/Sj

KS

65/10

MS

275/55

230/13

KS

KS

KS

NS

KS

NS

NS

KS

KD

ri'5

U/1J/3J

NS

65/12

KS

H)/3C

22CJ/35

NO

US

HS

hS

Ni

HS

hS

NS

KS

NS

12/1W6J

99/22

55/9

Tk/3

NS

215/23

hS

K5

NS

KS

US

SS

KS

NS

KS

NS

2/1 7 /a:KS

KS

NS

KS

4a/6

H'.;

55/2

77/2S.

13J/v

HJ

KS

KS

NS

tt-j

NS

n/23/ai26/9

8/3

Nv.

NS

42/0

Nb

S/l

21/43

33/4

K:;N'J

1/riJ

KS

hS

4/2

<//;. '!o

•»

-_

K-/;1 1 ' . ,f' '

*» .•

£/.'

»/-, •

• i.

ftj

^J»

lO-J/7 e , TCc in1,1,1 Trichlorocthane i» ppb

;o « Kbw Sa^plecf

M « J Uo TC£ or 1,1,1 TCE DetecteJ SB I 00327

\ -24030:

TAoLE

• n me i«gcruoMt viuinnjr i

i wlLLNA-i£

i TA iL=.-.

^TX 2\ i

S.-JX 3

:TTA 4-Sr,allo»

c.-JX 4-ueen

.! rx uC,--~ 1

1! ———————————'4 *r •}J *«- i-

r: 3U;: 4n4 r^«"*j^«--^ Car*4 - t k.Z W*«' W S C,

j stru.T v»e5t

W!K Plant We!

' "U Plant us. Welli...:as House Well

: re kfell fl

}-TO Vi-?ll *2

ft'l 1 2 JD. Wel

' "" w. 5

DATtSAHPWED

12-S-3J

n-i2-dj12-b-BD

12-S-SO

u-a-sjU-26-51

1U-2S-31

l-J-26-31

11-23-C1

11-23-31

10-25-51

l^-2y-31

12-9-3C1

10-20-81

lj-25-31

12-11-3.)

12-n-ao12-11-aj

11-23-31

CJKCEMRATl^U IS MG./LPC

<O.D10B9I9

U.009

0.013

0.044

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ft

~ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ B

OR<0.010

<D.010

«B0an<j.31 j

0.03J

<0.01j

O.D1Q

<j.31v

U.jll

C.'.ulO

Cu

u.ou0.24J

<0.01Ci

0.010

0.01 t

0.130

mSS&Sl

Q.75J

0.070

0.110

0.350

0.55J

0.0-53

0.17

u.mo0.010

0.01 j

U.023

0.0«J

Cr j \i

<J.UlO

•._ ————— „

<0.010

0.010

o.oin0.030

_ mam0.010

o.ouJ.033

*-T-

O.OlJ

0.010

o.aio<j.010

<j.D10

CJ.GKJ

0.01 J

<j.010

0.13'5

O.013

<0.010

<0.01u

O.u7j

0.17J

0.14J

O.OU

<-J.Jlo

3 . 0'J ."•

0.2SO

0.013

0.03J

<0.010

O.013

0.3LJ

0.333

J.03J

Zn-% AT ***J * U I O

0.41J

0.010

0.04;',,..y..rPr.x

D.2J-J

1.34-J

U.973

0.37u

0.22 J

•3.45J

1.1 5-j

O.u2'«

0.52:

0.420

<0.010

0.3i3

0.03-J

0.33J

Mh

.-'.'»-•

-JBBBJ.Oi

_. Rffi5

13.34^ • ^•«^ K ^ EJ•J ^ ^ ^ B—— 3>HiBB

^IF5

W V - (

•jrfUJpwjjt .^ ^ ^ K~

JP<.'.,']

&.l.-"

J.:' '' i "7 *'U « ' ''

• * Indicates equal to, or exceeding tPA DrinKing Water it arid arc's

- 10 - \

J/tfc * •>o ^

i

\o **X \ .. -J

\J O-

oo*•*

flfif 00329showing concentration of TCEn ppb in the vicinity of Borough

Well 12, December 1980

,./ - „ - 240302

1-10 ppb TC£

lo-ioo

>|00

FIGURE 4

Map showing distribution of TCE H H I 0 0 3 3 Uin the vicinity of Borough Well tf2,December 1980 •

•«•* I-IO ppb TCE

i>FIGURE 5

Map showing distribution of TCEin the vicinity of Borough Well #2,February 1981 HB I 0033 I

24030&- 13 - /

KEY•j VC v i-iO ppb TCE

\ ••:...' . • •• .. >x5? lo-ioo ppi> TCE1 **--»-» w x * ^ ^ * • * • /— x - . . • ' , n . . » ' /rce s,-.-.---::.'• /

x» ...•'/

FIGURE 6

Map showing distribution of TCE AB f 00332in the vicinity of Borough Well #2,November 1981

- 14 - 240305

i —*

r*PL,* L

KEY

1-IO ppb TCE

io-ioo ppJ& TCE

>IOO VP10 TCE

FIGURE 7——'•— Ml

Map showing distribution of TCEin the vicinity of Borough Well #2,April 1982.

240306

L

••

I'ooU

i!>80

mn.. RR I 0033«.

Graph showing the TCE concentrationin Borough Well #2 from June of 1980

' until April 1982

240307

Tn? investigation involved BeasureinenU and sarcolina fro-Ti 20 different wells ancl\imonitoring wells. /Ttte collection and analysis of over 60 V3A samples and the

collection anJ analysis of over 7-J inorganic samples. p1u<; at least 10 UV anily- ,

sis.

ed* ijr pf»ase* oi iiJ-j invest. iqa-. iori it was apparent tnac tnc nignest

concentration of TCE and 1,1,1 Triwnloroetnar.e was in tne vicinity of the S8C fl

iEH and tne old Urville Mlk, Plant well at Spectrum Control. As trie studyiprogressed, arU ground>;2ter tl?v; oatni became better Qftfinsi, and t^e relative

coricer.tra'.ior. of organic solvents in the ground»-ater becat.iv known, tne source

area ««b isolated. Tin source of TCE oeing in tne S.W. corn.er of S^C's pro-

perty. Tr,i- source of t«e 1,1,1, Trichloroetnane is most likely the Sepctru;;.i

Control septic system.

Saapliris in tr,= late fail of 19ol, reveal ?c' a dra-'sutic dscreose in tr»e con- ^\• ' ' \centratior, <jf TCE in the SVC 11 Well anH tne Qrvilli ^.ilk Plant hell (from 5S3*

ro 33 mi crogrKS /liter) over a period of t*o Piontns. TnU coincldently

corresponnds to SrtC digging two excavations^ one in tne vicinity of Sfc #1 Well, jinear tie suspected terrainuse cf an old drainage pipe. Sampling of the SIC II |

well tnis past April indicates a TCE concentration of 9 nicroarans/liter. /i *

tuaua;; (liiZ) estimated tnat between lj and 10-j gallons of pure TCE would be"~ i

sufficient to cause tne magnitude ana e.tent of TCE contamination in the

Saeaertowr. art A. Tnus, a snail spill or leak, of concentrates solvent could"nave result*:! in the groundv-ater contamination, no*ev«?r, r.inor amounts of TC£

in vaste oil, or oth?r fluids, SDille-J in the past is another possfbT€Mwarw o'

t.ni..jCon.yp!lMsl?Jil« ^s previously mentioned S"C naci a series of oil spills westof their plant t*irouqkiout tn? winter, spring and early suTsc-r o* 197*.

/ *

\- 17 -

240308

Although, tne inorganic groundwater pollution in the area was not the focus of

t»ns investigation, it nevtrtncless cannot b? overlookec. Referring to Tanle

*2, o* particular concern 'are tht Itad concentrations In tne GATX #2 and #6

welli, th=r S*C II and *2 Wells and tne Spectrum East and teest wells. These con-

centrations exceed tne ERA drinking water standard of O.Oo wq/1.

The source of these inorganic contaminsnts has not been isolated nor has the

areal extent been adequately defined. The future affects of high concentration

ot leac in tn- groundv.ater represents a serious t.ireat to local water supplies.

1. Since tnt current levels of TCE in ths SKC #1, ana Orville Hi IK Plant teell

are very lov, it is highly unlikely that further delineation and isolation

of th.i source area is pcssiole. However, it is quite clear tnat tne source-

area cf tne TCE is located in tne Southwest corner of tns S-sC property.

Pu.fpiino cf tna jrville fiilt: Plant kcll snould be continued* Purapinc to

waste of the Borough 12 h'tll is optional, however, it should be periodi-

cally monitored, and when tne TCE concentration drops below 4.5 ppb it can

be put bacs into the systen with continued monitoring.

i. Continued investigation pertaining tc isolating tne source(s) of lead con-

tamination should t>e pursut J by the Department. It is rfccoTimended that the

investigation cogence *iti -. detailed study of wastes contained at tne G*.TX

facility.

ARI00336

240309

1

j,

3. Finally, tne situation that percipitattd tht Saegertown study; the Hughstor

cooling water discharge, nis been completely overlooked for tne last two

years. Hucnston had been discharging toxic anc hazardous wastes into an

UK lined lacoo?.. TIK lagoon discnaroes directly to local groundwaters. Trn-

analysis \n April of 19oJ of this water revealed nign concentrations ofj

xylene^cetone, KIK and Diethyl ether.i -- '

In an nerac written on July 9, 198v>, by tnls writer, to the Regional Hater

Quality fsanaqar, it was recoswended that hughstoti be requested to address

the impact ot Its unlined impounonent upon iocs! oround»'atera. Again tot:

writer is recommending tnat riughstoo conduct a hydroaeologic investigatioiit

in tns vicinity of its lagoon.i ' ,.

* Sanpk- taken in SK fl feell by Kr. bill Gougti of KA1, on 10/6/31 (J^ody 1932),

RSb/jrr.

2 0310 L\\

References Cited:

-i, waiter r. (IdS^; Hydrogeolocic investigation of \nc SaegertovnField, Sasgerto*i., PA.

wood an.-i Associates (193 ) Hydrogeclocic Investigation of tne abandoned G^TX-lu», ii»-: jii i of c»r.?-tov" *»"if%rtnirfn. Pt.. interim Status Report (zyOl

Koody ana Associates (1932) Report of Findings of Sroundwater investigation \conducted at Saegertown Manufacturing Corporation (SKC). '

\, ™

ARI00338