1. Cover Slide
TCEQ logo

2. Cost Effective Strategies for Groundwater Remediation
Midori Campbell, P.E.

3. Water Use by Industry in Texas, 2013
2% Livestock
58% Irrigation
30% Municipal
6% Manufacturing
1% Mining
3% Power
53 % Groundwater
47 % Surface Water
37 % Groundwater
63 % Surface Water
84 % Groundwater
16 % Surface Water
23 % Groundwater
77 % Surface Water
77 % Groundwater
23 % Surface Water
10 % Groundwater
90 % Surface Water

4. Groundwater Protection Statutes
Federal:
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
Texas:
Texas Water Code

5. Sites Beneath Which There is Groundwater Contamination in Ector County, Texas
This is a map from Groundwater beneath these sites are contaminated with hexavalent chromium and volatile organic compounds. Although the contamination appears to be wide-spread, each site is unique.
Ector County, Texas

6. Groundwater Remediation Strategy Factors
Containment Versus Aquifer Restoration
Exit Strategy
Performance-Based Monitoring
Capital Costs and Annual Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Costs

7. Containment Versus Aquifer Restoration
Containment: Prevents a contaminant from reaching an identified receptor(s) above a protective level. Aquifer Restoration: Reduce the contaminant’s mass in the aquifer to achieve the established protective level.

8. Exit Strategy What are the milestones for measuring progress?
How is the progress monitored?
What resulting action is associated with achieving these milestones?
What is the contingency plan if one or more milestones are not achieved?

9. Performance Based Monitoring
Incorporate with the exit strategy into the remedial design.
Select indicator parameters where possible.
Incorporate with the exit strategy into the remedial design.
Select indicator parameters where possible.
Minimize sampling near source.
Use remote monitoring (e.g., using telemetry) when feasible.
Performance-Based Monitoring
Use remote monitoring (e.g., using telemetry) when feasible.
Minimize sampling near source.

10. Strategy for Containment
Realize that a complete exit strategy for containment may not exist.
Performance monitoring may demonstrate that hydraulic control is maintained or degradation or attenuation of contaminants over time is achieved.
Exit strategies of components may be possible (e.g., increase pumping and reduce or eliminate sampling.)

11. Image of Geneva Industries Federal Superfund Site in Houston, Texas
This aerial image of the Geneva Federal Superfund site shows the site boundaries, the locations of the monitoring and recovery wells, slurry wall, and groundwater treatment facility.

12. Strategy for Aquifer Restoration
If source areas exist, consider treating areas downgradient separate from source areas.
Prevents downgradient migration of source area contaminants, including non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs)
Allows for cleanup goals to be achieved earlier in downgradient areas.
Reduces monitoring requirements.
New, proven technologies can be applied as they develop.

13. Capital and O&M Cost Considerations
Infrastructure
Life Cycle
Automation
Disposition of Treated Groundwater

14. Infrastructure Can an existing infrastructure be utilized?
Is the site-wide contamination uniform to allow a large scale infrastructure?
Would a network of smaller components allow more opportunities for reducing overall O&M?

15. Sprague Road Federal Superfund Site in Odessa, Texas
Machine and Casting
The Sprague Road Federal Superfund site encompasses three sites overlying three separate groundwater plumes. Machine and Casting overlies the northernmost plume, Leigh Metals overlies the central plume, and National Chromium overlies the southernmost plume.
Sprague Road
Federal Superfund Site
Odessa, Texas
Leigh Metals
National Chromium

16. PhotoCat Groundwater Treatment System
The PhotoCat groundwater treatment system at Sprague Road is situated inside a building at Leigh Metals.

17. Potential Locations for In-situ Treatment at Leigh Metals and National Chromium
Three in-situ treatment zones are recommended each at Leigh Metals and National Chromium

18. Time to Achieve Remedial Action Objectives (RAOs)
Life Cycle
Time to Achieve Remedial Action Objectives
Short Term
Consider leasing equipment. Being aggressive initially may shorten the life cycle.
Long Term
Consider areas where RAOs can be achieved short-term and other areas where system may be operating until perpetuity.
Perpetuity
Re-evaluate RAOs, conduct optimization review. Automate as much of the remediation efforts as possible.
Consider leasing equipment. Being aggressive initially may shorten the life cycle.
Short Term
Time to Achieve Remedial Action Objectives (RAOs)
Consider areas where RAOs can be achieved short-term and other areas where system may be operating until perpetuity.
Long Term
Perpetuity
Re-evaluate RAOs, conduct optimization review. Automate as much of the remediation efforts as possible.

19. Automation Minimizes time lost to shut-downs.
Safety net to prevent contaminants from being discharged or migrating off-site unknowingly.
Allows for remote troubleshooting and monitoring.
Initial costs are offset by savings in labor.

20. Disposition of Treated Groundwater for Above-Ground Systems
Re-injection of treated groundwater for recharge, hydraulic control, and/or vadose zone flushing
Infiltration gallery
Infiltration basin
Injection wells
NPDES or POTW discharge
Re-use

21. First Quality Cylinders State Superfund Site in San Antonio, Texas
This site map shows the locations of the site boundary, monitoring wells, boundary of the plume management zone, the existing trench, the slurry wall, and the groundwater treatment system, which is not currently in use.

22. Removal Action
This photograph shows the initial removal action inside a building at First Quality Cylinders.

23. Secured Excavation
Soil excavated to 12 feet below ground surface (bgs) and backfilled
Bottom 5 feet was select fill amended with 1 gallon calcium polysulfide solution per 1 cubic yard of soil.
Remainder of the excavation, up to 12 inches bgs, was backfilled with select fill.
The top was finished with compacted flex base limestone to grade.

24. In-Situ Chemical Reduction at First Quality Cylinders
A 29% CPS solution was injected in temporary vertical-bush borings
Borings were each 1.5 inches in diameter
Target interval was from 7 to 12 feet bgs
Each injection was followed by 160 gallons of clean chase water.

25. Discharge Criteria Met at First Quality Cylinders State Superfund Site

26. Groundwater Remediation is a Dynamic Process
Changing Regulatory Environment
Emerging Contaminants
Emerging Technologies
Changing Site Characteristics
Develop a sound strategy!

27. Questions?