Village of Endicott Vapor Migration Project Fact Sheet - October 2003

Public Information Session

Fact Sheet Abstract

Groundwater Vapor Project - Most of the buildings impacted by IBM-related contaminant vapors have been identified and mitigation systems to intercept contaminant vapors before they enter the building installed. IBM has offered a sampling plan to identify further areas to receive mitigation systems.
Area-Wide Investigation - DEC is conducting a Preliminary Site Assessment (PSA) that will further define the extent of soil gas contamination and groundwater contamination in the Endicott area and seek sources outside of the IBM Endicott plant.

Purpose

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide an update on recent project developments in the Endicott area. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Department of Health and the Broome County Health Department (collectively referred to as the Agencies hereafter) have been coordinating with representatives from IBM, local officials, and the public to address solvent vapors detected in soil and buildings.

Background

Since the Fall of 2002, there has been an extensive effort to assess impacts associated with migration of contaminant vapors from the groundwater through the soil and into buildings in the Village of Endicott and the Town of Union. As part of that assessment, IBM implemented the agencies' approved work plan; collecting vapor samples from within, beneath and outside of 233 buildings throughout the study area. IBM has notified affected parties of the presence, or likely presence, of the vapors in building basements and has been installing mitigation systems beneath the buildings where appropriate. The mitigation systems are designed to intercept contaminant vapors before they enter the building. To date, more than 314 mitigation systems have been installed. Most of the buildings that are being impacted by IBM-related contaminant vapors have now been identified.

Upcoming Activities

The Agencies and IBM are now making preparations to complete the identification of the areas that will be offered mitigation systems and to select structures that will be sampled during the 2004 Winter heating season. To expedite this process, IBM has presented a preliminary proposal to the Agencies that includes the following: 1) an offer to expand the area of mitigation to include 134 additional structures that could potentially be impacted by IBM-related contaminant vapors, 2) additional air testing inside, outside and beneath approximately 60 structures located just beyond the "expanded" mitigation area to confirm..., and 3) evaluation of the testing results to determine the need for additional mitigation and/or additional testing. The Agencies believe that implementation of the proposed approach during the forthcoming heating season should result in the identification of all buildings that are currently being impacted by IBM-related contaminant vapors.

Area-Wide Investigation

Soil vapor and groundwater data collected over the past year suggest that there are sources of soil gas contaminants in addition to those associated with the IBM groundwater plume. The NYSDEC is conducting a Preliminary Site Assessment (PSA) that will further define the extent of soil gas contamination and groundwater contamination in the Endicott area. Initially a comprehensive records search will be done for the Village of Endicott and portions of the Town of Union to help locate potential sources. The NYSDEC expects to further define the extent of soil gas contamination and groundwater contamination in the upper aquifer west of Jefferson Ave., continue the investigation of indoor air, subslab, and soil gas conditions west of Jefferson Ave. as needed, as well as investigate other potential source areas. If the assessment identifies structures that warrant mitigation due to non-IBM sources, the mitigation activities will be handled under the Area-Wide Investigation.

Another purpose of this work is to determine, to the extent possible, the sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the South Street Well Field.

This work plan will be made available in early 2004 for public review/input and will be flexible enough to allow changes to the scope of work, based on public input.