Project Overview
A former fire rescue training facility identified PFAS contamination in groundwater in areas surrounding the fire training pad in 2018. The facility includes several training areas located on adjacent, concrete pads. Each concrete pad is equipped with a water collection system that drains to an on-site lagoon. Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) was historically used at the facility for training associated with flammable liquid fires. Although PFAS containing AFFF have not been used in training activities at this facility for decades, a soil and sediment source of the PFAS is present at the facility as well as relatively high PFAS groundwater concentrations. During heavy rainfall events, the lagoon discharges into an adjoining wetland.
Through several phases of field investigation, T&M has identified multiple PFAS, including perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) in groundwater, surface water and soil in all directions from the concrete training areas and the lagoon. The PFAS concentrations exceed the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Ground Water Quality Standards for Class II-A Aquifers.
T&M has provided comprehensive environmental compliance and remediation services at this facility including:
- Receptor evaluation for environmentally sensitive natural resources;
- Identification of private wells within 500 feet of the property boundary, preparation of potable well sampling letters and completion of a door-to-door well survey;
- On- and off-site potable well sampling;
- Groundwater sampling via temporary and permanent monitoring points/wells;
- On-site soil, surface water and sediment sampling;
- Delineation of the extent of PFAS groundwater impact; and
- Lagoon, tributary surface water and sediment sampling.
Continuing investigation at the site will consist of the following activities:
- Upgradient surface water sampling to evaluate the potential for off-site contributors;
- Vertical groundwater delineation beneath the site;
- Groundwater and soil sampling to obtain data to be used in evaluating remediation alternatives; and
A feasibility study was used to identify and evaluate treatment alternatives for soil and groundwater and to select preferred technologies.
