degree of contamination

8/3/2019 Degree of Contamination

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SOIL CONTAMINATION ISSUES

What is the degree of contamination (and how will we quantify that)?

Most of the remaining contamination after the storm surge receded isheating oil that spilled from home heating oil tanks. The amount of oilreleased after it settled back to the ground, or where it was when it leakedmost of its contents, is expected to determine the degree ofcontamination. Many properties probably were only coated with a lightfilm of oil that is expected to quickly degrade in the sunny days of thefall season. In some cases, only the surface vegetation has died off, withlittle or no impact to soils or the groundwater. However, each case isdifferent and in a limited number of tests of impacted properties, oilcontaminated soil has been found down to 18 inches below the grade

level. A variety of field screening devices or test kits will be used toassess the presence of petroleum-impacted soils. Once remedial action isindicated by a field screening device or test kit, the remaining soil will betested using an EPA approved test method to determine the level of theend point of the remedial action.

What is the scientific data being used to measure the damage and

protect public safety?

Years of fielding screening experience, laboratory data and actualcleanup case studies of heating oil releases around the State in residentialareas are being used to formulate the cleanup approach. The problem isnot new to Maryland, but the size and scope of this impact requires auniform approach to the problem. Soil sampling of the end points ofremediation and, if necessary, the recovery of oil that has reached thegroundwater, are the first steps in protecting the public. In areas withdomestic well use, periodic well sampling will be required to ensure nolong-term impact to drinking water supplies is present.

Why my neighbors house and not mine?

Each release is unique until it is assessed. If you suspect your propertyhas been impacted by oil following the storm surge, ensure you havecontacted the Maryland Department of the Environments Oil ControlProgram at 1-800-631-6101, ext 3442, or 410-537-3442. Your propertywill be assessed for residual oil contamination and if the oil is determined


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to have soaked into the soil, then excavation of the soil will in most casesbe the remedy.

Why arent you taking more soil (digging deeper)?

The depth of the soil excavation is designed to remove as much aspossible of the oil-contaminated soil. However, soil-screening techniquesprovide for some level of uncertainty until results are quantified bylaboratory quality testing. In addition, the risks posed by lowconcentrations of oil in the soil can be managed without the need foradditional remedial action.

If I hire a contractor to do the work, can I get reimbursed?

Maryland does have a limited residential heating oil cleanupreimbursement program for the actual tank owner. An initial deductibleof $1,000 in eligible cleanup costs must be exceeded beforereimbursement can be made. The program is only designed to fundapproximately 25 reimbursements per year, and funding before the stormwas already running behind demand. There is a possibility of FEMAindividual assistance moneys being used to reimburse homeowners thatchoose this option. However, final determinations on these issues haveyet to be made.

Who will pay to replace my 30 prize winning rose bushes?

The program provides for the removal of oil contaminated soil,replacement of the soil and stabilization of the disturbed areas with grassseed and hay. Federal and State assistance will not be used to landscapeproperties beyond the grass seed and hay stabilization. The application ofgrass seed is a one-time application and the maintenance and care toestablish grass in these areas is the responsibility of the landowner.

Will the replacement soil be as good as the soil I had before the storm?

The soil used to fill, grade and seed the lawns will meet minimumstandards and may not match an existing lawns foundation. The work toremove the oil contamination, which threatens groundwater and lowersproperty values, is a heavily weighted to benefit the homeowner but cannot meet everyones expectations. Your should discuss the possibility of


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the Federal/State action stopping after excavation if you have significantconcerns about the quality of the fill soil, and may want to contract forthe final re-establishment of your property using your own resources tocontrol the final outcome.

The 230 ppm level for remediation is still not safe. Why arent you

removing heating oil contaminants to 0 ppm?

You are encouraged to study the issue before you react to a number beinggreater than zero. Once the heavily oil soaked soils are removed, theremaining low levels of oil contamination tend to degrade naturally in theenvironment and yield, in some cases, the same impact as fertilizer.Property owners are, of course, free to continue excavation to 0 ppm, butat their cost.

Will you be testing our ground water in 12 months?

At present, the recommendation for domestic wells located in areas withpetroleum contamination at levels that required soil to be excavated is toplace the wells on a testing schedule. The frequency of the well testingmay vary depending on the depth and construction of the well. MDE andthe county health departments will be working together to accomplishthis monitoring program.

Who will pay for remediation if my well becomes contaminated?

The recovery of oil from the ground water will continue to be offered aspart of the storm recovery assistance efforts. In cases where drinkingwater wells become contaminated, carbon filtration for the entire home isthe first option in areas where groundwater is widely contaminated but isexpected to run its course over time without the need for a large scalegroundwater cleanup. Carbon treatment is not the method of choice forlong-term solutions and well replacement or connection to a public water

supply may be a more viable option.

What standards will be set and who will enforce them?

The State standards reflect those published by the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agencys Office of Water, in a document entitled,DrinkingWater Standards and Health Advisories. The most commonly known


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standard is the Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL, which is thehighest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water and is anenforceable standard by both the State and the U.S. EPA. Typicalchemicals of concern that are known to dissolve from petroleum into thegroundwater include Benzene (MCL of 5 parts per billion), Ethylbenzene(MCL of 700 ppb), Toluene (MCL of 1,000 ppb), Xylenes (MCL of10,000 ppb) and MTBE (Health Advisory of 20-40 ppb).

I wont let contractors on my property. You cant force me to

participate.

A landowner is free to perform the oil pollution cleanup withoutparticipating in this assistance program. Oil that pollutes the waters of theState, including groundwater, must be addressed and the State could

order a landowner to either perform the work or accept the States offerof assistance. No one wants to turn an offer to help into a negativesituation. Property owners should contact MDE to explain why theyrefuse to participate, and perhaps an understanding can be reached.

Cant nature take care of the problem?

In small amounts, oil pollution can be addressed by the natural biologicalactivity, much like what happens in a compost pile. However, high levelsof contamination destroy this natural process, and in some cases theprocess cannot be restored for years until some corrective action takesplace. What cant be removed may be left for nature to do the rest.

I live near the landfill and I dont want MY groundwater contaminated.

The modern landfill is design to contain pollutants that mightinadvertently be added to the waste stream and is frequently monitored toensure these controls are effective. A landfill becomes an efficient compostpile and oil contaminated soil can be safely incorporated into a landfill

operation at reasonable volumes. This project is expected to be within thereasonable volumes that would not create a groundwater problem. Also,modern landfills have liners to help prevent contaminants from leeching intothe soil.


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