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Village of Endicott Vapor Migration Project Fact Sheet - October 13, 2004

Public Information Session

Fact Sheet Abstract

  • Groundwater Vapor Project - Installation of ventilation systems is substantially complete.
  • Groundwater Investigation/Remediation - IBM will conduct additional groundwater investigations and enhance the existing groundwater remedial program.
  • Old Village Dump Investigation - A new investigation, involving deeper groundwater than earlier studies, will study the dump's effect on the South Street Well Field.

Purpose

The purpose of this Public Availability session is to provide an update on recent project developments in the Endicott area. New York State Agencies will be available to discuss results of their ongoing studies, IBM will be present to answer questions regarding the ongoing Groundwater Vapor Project and groundwater remedial programs. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) 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 groundwater contamination and solvent vapors detected in soil and buildings.

Background

Groundwater Vapor Project - 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 more than 250 buildings throughout the study area. In addition, contractors hired by the NYSDEC have expanded upon the IBM sampling program and have sampled structures in areas where other sources of soil vapor contamination are suspected. At this point, the identification of structures which meet the criteria for ventilation and the installation of the ventilation systems is substantially complete. Both IBM and the NYSDEC will perform some limited vapor sampling during the next heating season to confirm the results of past sampling efforts.

Groundwater Investigation/Remediation - In March 2004, DEC reclassified the IBM site ranking from a Class 4 to a Class 2. In August 2004, IBM and the NYSDEC entered into an Administrative Order on Consent which replaced the 6 NYCRR part 373 Permit as the administrative vehicle for continuing and expanding the ongoing groundwater remedial program. Under the Order, IBM will be conducting additional groundwater investigations and will implement interim remedial measures to enhance the existing groundwater remedial program. The goal of the program is to accelerate the clean up of the impacted areas.

Old Village Dump Investigation - The purpose of investigating the Old Village Dump is to determine if it has affected the Village of Endicott South Street Well Field. The Old Village Dump was investigated by the NYSDEC in 1997-1998 to determine if there was hazardous waste in the dump. No hazardous waste was found. This new investigation will include looking at deeper groundwater to see if the dump may be affecting the South Street Well Field. The field work will consist of collecting soil vapor and subsurface soil samples; installing monitoring wells; and collecting groundwater samples.