NORTHERN VIRGINIA DAILY

Article date: September 11, 2001

EPA seeks feedback on Avtex cleanup

Residents asked for input on proposals to decontaminate sewer

By: Mary Jordan

The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking the public’s input on plans for the decontamination of buildings and sewers at the Avtex Superfund site.

The EPA has consistently asked for the community’s input on the continued cleanup of the site, according to Community Involvement Coordinator Ruth Wuenschel.

Two alternatives are being proposed for the sewer decontamination —  keeping deep sewer sections in place and permanently closing them, or excavating and removing the sewer systems.

Under the first option, soil above and surrounding the sewer lines would be excavated and stockpiled to be evaluated— soils that meets site-specific standards would be kept as back fill, and soil that does not will be evaluated for reuse at the site or for off site disposal.

The second alternative would remove shallow sewers and manholes up to 15 feet below grade including the soil above and around them.  Sewers at depths of more that 15 feet would be closed and filled with a mixture of fly ash and cement.

The EPA estimated the first alternative will cost $2.9 million and the second $2.5 million.

“We’re asking the public to look at the two alternatives and see which one they would favor,” Wuenschel said.

The decontamination of the building would take place in five phases.

The first phase would address the tanks, piping and ductwork of the buildings.  The second phase would take the liquids and solids in the structures and dispose of them or treat them on site in the waste water treatment plant.

Once the liquids and solids are removed, the surfaces of the structures would be cleaned, either by brushing, vacuuming or power washing.

After the buildings are demolished, further cleaning of leftover debris would take place.   Finally, underlying soil would be sampled and either excavated off site or used on site.

The EPA estimated the total cost for building decontamination at $2.7 million.

Wuenschel said the EPA always likes to seek public input when deciding how to address a Superfund site.

“The EPA relies on community input when making decisions about a Superfund site to make sure that our cleanup plans address your concerns,” an EPA release says.

The EPA will have a public comment period— where residents can address their concerns and opinions about the project— until Sept. 24.

Further detailed information can be obtained through the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis Report at Samuels Public Library.

Comments can be made to Wuenschel at (2150 814-5540 or Bonnie Gross, remedial project manager, at (215)814-3229.

Input can also be mailed to Gross at EPA Region III, 1650 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19103.