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West Side Corporation Site

Site No. 241026

History of Site

Groundwater extraction well drilling
Groundwater extraction well drilling

This 4.5-acre site is owned by the now defunct West Side Corporation. It is surrounded by a combination of industrial, commercial, and residential properties. From about 1969 to 1992, the site was used as a storage and distribution center for dry-cleaning supplies, including large quantities of tetrachloroethene (PCE). Soil and groundwater at the site are highly contaminated with PCE. A plume of contaminated groundwater is extending from the site in a south-southwest direction.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) continues to study plans to restart several groundwater production wells (Pumping Station 6) located down-gradient of the site to address flooding problems from a rising water table and to potentially provide a future source of potable water. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and NYCDEP have been working together to ensure that the Pumping Station 6 project is compatible with the remediation of the West Side Corporation site (see below for additional information). In order to expedite this process, the NYCDEP designed and constructed the off-site groundwater (Operable Unit No. 2) remedy. Funding for the design and construction of the OU2 remedy initially came from the NYCDEP and now is being reimbursed by the NYSDEC under a State Assistance Contract.

Groundwater treatment system
Groundwater treatment system

Remedies

Operable Unit No. 1 (OU1)

On July 31, 2000, the NYSDEC signed a Record of Decision (ROD) which selected a remedy to clean up the soil and groundwater on the site itself. In September 2002, an Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) was issued by the NYSDEC revising the OU1 remedy. Specifically, contamination was to be treated in-place using electrical resistive heating (ERH) and soil vapor extraction (SVE) technologies to greatly reduce the amount of PCE in soil and groundwater. The NYSDEC will also seek to impose restrictions on the use of the site to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the on-site remedy.

Operable Unit No. 2 (OU2)

A second ROD was signed in February 2002 that addresses contaminated groundwater that has moved from the site to the south-southwest. This is in the direction of the NYCDEP Groundwater System Station 6 site, a past and proposed drinking water treatment facility. In order to protect groundwater resources in Southeast Queens, and particularly the proposed Station 6 facility, the NYCDEP has committed to assisting the NYSDEC in the cleanup of the off-site groundwater plume by installing two high capacity recovery wells at Station 24. These recovery wells will be used to hydraulically contain the plume of PCE- contaminated groundwater and prevent it from further migrating toward Station 6. The recovered groundwater will be treated at the proposed Station 24 treatment facility, sampled and disposed of into Bergen Basin through the sewer system.

A "SPDES Equivalent" Permit for discharge of treated water has been established and includes appropriate effluent limits. In addition, a network of observation wells has also been installed to monitor the performance of the recovery wells and to collect water quality samples.

Operable Unit No. 3 (OU3)

Elevated levels of PCE were found in soil gas at various locations within the groundwater plume. The NYSDEC is currently undertaking a Soil Vapor Intrusion (SVI) study within the residential area located south-southwest of the site. The SVI study will continue until the NYSDEC, in consultation with the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH), determines that further testing is not needed.

Project Chronology

  • August 1997 - The site was classified by the NYSDEC as a Class 2 inactive hazardous waste site designation.
  • July 2000 - ROD signed by NYSDEC for OU1 (onsite soils and groundwater).
  • February 2002 - ROD signed by NYSDEC for OU2 (off-site groundwater).
  • June 2004 - Remedial Design for OU1 completed by NYSDEC.
  • November 2004 - Remedial Construction for OU1 initiated by NYSDEC.
  • May 2005 - Soil Vapor Intrusion Study (OU3) initiated by NYSDEC and NYSDOH.
  • December 2005 - ERH treatment completed/SVE treatment initiated for OU1.
  • February 2007 - Remedial Design for OU2 completed by the NYCDEP.
  • March 2009 - OU2 remedial action initiated by NYCDEP.
  • June 2011 - OU1 soils remediation completed. Onsite groundwater studies initiated.

Current Status

Operable Unit 1 (on-site soils/groundwater): Design of the on-site cleanup was completed in June 2004. Remedial construction of the ERH/SVE treatment system was initiated in November 2004 and completed in early December 2005. Power up of the ERH treatment system was initiated in December 2005. ERH operation and confirmation of successful performance was completed in April 2006. SVE treatment system operations were completed in June 2011. Additional investigation and remediation of residual VOCs in onsite groundwater is ongoing. An in-situ pilot study utilizing chemical reagents expects to be initiated in Spring 2012.

Operable Unit 2 (off-site groundwater): NYCDEP has completed remedial design of the OU2 Station 24 remedy and is near completion of construction of the remedy currently planned for early Spring 2012.

The NYSDEC currently anticipates taking over responsibility of the groundwater treatment system in Spring 2012. Groundwater treatment system operation will be managed by the NYSDEC, and will focus on system optimization and satisfactorily demonstrating that the system is operating as designed.

Operable Unit 3 (soil vapor): Since May 2005, the NYSDEC and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) have tested soil gas and the air in and surrounding over 120 homes near the former West Side facility to monitor the effects of vapor intrusion. As a result, the NYSDEC has installed sub-slab depressurization systems in twenty-nine (29) homes to date.

Next Steps

  1. Continue on with the OU1 groundwater pilot study.
  2. NYSDEC to take over OU2 site management responsibilities from NYCDEP.
  3. Initiate OU2 groundwater treatment feasibility studies
  4. Continue with SVI study and mitigation of impacted structures as necessary.

Contacts

For Technical Questions:

Dave J. Chiusano, Project Manager (OU1/OU2)
Eric Hausaman, Project Manager (OU3)
Division of Environmental Remediation
625 Broadway, 12th Floor
Albany, New York 12233-7017
518-402-9814

For Health Related Questions:

Ms. Stephanie Selmer
NYS Department of Health
547 River Street, Flanigan Square
Troy, NY 12180-2216
518-402-7870 or 800-458-1158 ext. 27870