Groundwater & Soil Contamination Studies

Meiser & Earl, Inc. established a RCRA groundwater monitoring program with four wells located around several unlined waste storage impoundments.  Following the determination that the groundwater had been affected by the wastes, a detailed assessment and abatement program was undertaken, at the direction of PADEP and USEPA, which involved drilling and constructing six additional monitoring wells.  Five of these wells were built as multiple‑level piezometers, with two or three well points per installation, allowing sampling and water‑level measurements in selected aquifer zones.  Based on quarterly water‑level measurements of site wells and monitoring points on the Susquehanna River, Meiser & Earl, Inc. developed water‑table maps through time which showed the effects of rainfall, river elevations and the downstream dam on the groundwater flow directions across the site.  This information was key in determining abatement alternatives and designing the final site groundwater monitoring system which we are continuing to sample and evaluate in the post-closure phase.

     Meiser & Earl, Inc. conducted a hydrogeologic investigation of kerosene‑contaminated soil and groundwater near a shallow, sand and gravel aquifer.  Our charge was to determine the nature and extent of the soil and groundwater contamination, then recommend appropriate remedial measures.  A combination of backhoe test pits and monitoring wells were used to delineate the areal extent of the soil and groundwater contamination plumes.  Under Meiser & Earl, Inc.'s supervision, the contaminated soil was removed and disposed of at a PADEP‑approved facility.  Pumping tests were performed on the monitoring well network to determine hydraulic characteristics of the sand and gravel aquifer.  This information was then used to size an activated carbon groundwater treatment system.  Meiser & Earl, Inc. installed a groundwater recovery well and supervised the installation of the activated carbon system.

Meiser & Earl, Inc. was contracted to define the nature and extent of affected groundwater adjacent to two trench sites used for the disposal of waste paints, thinners and glue. Under the direction of PADEP, we defined the exact location of buried metal containers by conducting terrain conductivity surveys.  We drilled and constructed six monitoring wells, three at each site.  The wells were pumped and sampled on three occasions; the analyses revealed no significant impact on the groundwater.  Meiser & Earl, Inc., in association with an engineering firm, provided input to a closure plan for both sites which was successfully executed.

Meiser & Earl, Inc. conducted soil and groundwater studies for the closure of leaking hazardous wastewater impoundments under the direction of the PA Department of Environmental Protection and the US Environmental Protection Agency.  Meiser & Earl, Inc. prepared a soil sampling plan and sampled soils beneath the floors and walls of the former impoundments to confirm all contaminated soils were removed.  Meiser & Earl, Inc. installed monitoring wells around the site of the impoundments to prepare groundwater contour maps, determine groundwater flow directions, and evaluate concentrations and areal extent of contaminants.  Groundwater levels were measured on a regular basis to ensure that the groundwater pollution plume was being contained by the groundwater pumping-and-recovery system.  Meiser & Earl, Inc. also collected water samples from the monitoring wells on a quarterly basis to evaluate the groundwater cleanup during the post-closure care period. 

Meiser & Earl, Inc. conducted a groundwater investigation related to the underground release of petroleum substances.  Meiser & Earl, Inc. installed two wells, and in combination with five existing wells, sized and oversaw the installation of a groundwater pumping and treatment (P&T) system.   Meiser & Earl, Inc. sampled the monitoring wells, evaluated the monthly sampling results from the P&T system and weekly water-level measurements, and prepared progress reports for submission to the PA Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP).  The P&T system successfully contained the petroleum contamination. 

In late 1984, widespread trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination (100 to 300 ppb) was discovered in the water supply wells at the well field serving as Williamsport's auxiliary source.  Much higher TCE levels, 1,000 to 15,000 ppb, were documented in an area roughly 3,800 feet long and 2,400 feet wide, upgradient of the well field.  Meiser & Earl, Inc. was engaged by the Water Authority to provide an independent review of the investigation conducted by AVCO Lycoming, Inc., the alleged source of the TCE.  An aquifer simulation model was constructed to predict the arrival times of the higher concentrations of TCE at the well field under various pumping schemes.