Operations & Maintenance
Silresim Superfund Site
Operations & Maintenance of Groundwater Treatment Plant
Lowell, Massachusetts
The Silresim Superfund Site, site of a former chemical reclamation facility, is reported to be one of the most contaminated parcels of land in the Northeastern US. The 4.5-acre property is contaminated with non-aqueous phase liquids consisting of many types of organic solvents. Watermark conducted O&M and groundwater monitoring from 2002-2008 under a US Army Corps of Engineers, New England District contract.
Since 2008, Watermark has conducted O&M and groundwater monitoring under contracts with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
The project involves intensive O&M and optimization of the extraction and treatment system which includes extraction wells; phase separation; pH adjustment and polymer addition; metals removal; pressure filtration; air stripping; thermal oxidation for off-gas treatment; and a filter press system for sludge dewatering. The extremely high levels of volatile organic compounds require that some of the work be completed in Level B respiratory protection.
Watermark conducts long-term groundwater monitoring in accordance with the EPA Region 1 Low-Stress (Low-Flow) Purging and Sampling Procedure. Watermark also conducts routine monitoring and maintenance of the ~ 3-acre low permeability soil cap including general maintenance and mowing.