Galaxy/Spectron Inc

Public Notice: August 2001

Construction Update

The Galaxy/Spectron PRP Group (Group) is providing this update to keep you informed about ongoing activities at the Galaxy/Spectron Superfund Site (Site).

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GROUNDWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM

In April 1999, construction of the Groundwater Isolation and Collection System was completed. The system collects groundwater in a series of sumps. The groundwater is pumped from the sumps to the treatment plant and is directed back into the creek after it is cleaned following treatment. The treatment plant began operating in March 2000. Monitoring data indicates that the Groundwater Isolation and Collection System is effectively capturing seeps and groundwater that would otherwise discharge directly to the stream. As a result, there has been a continued improvement in the quality of the creek downstream of the Site.

During the next few weeks, the PRP Group's engineer, O'Brien and Gere, will be making improvements to the existing treatment plant. These improvements, which have been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will consist of a small pump house downstream of the Providence Road Bridge and piping along the stream bank into the treatment plant. An additional granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment system will also be installed at the Site.

The pump house will be about the size of a small garden shed and will be located about 150 feet downstream of the Providence Road Bridge along the northern stream bank. The system will pump water through the GAC treatment system and the treated water will be directed back into the stream. The purpose of these improvements is to provide additional treatment capacity during all flow conditions.

Construction is expected to begin in April and last approximately six weeks. Construction will take place from approximately 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Some truck deliveries will be made during those hours as well.

WHO TO CONTACT

The PRP Group is committed to completing these activities safely, effectively, and in a manner that is protective of human health and the environment. The Group also wants to make certain that the community members near the Site are fully aware of the activities occurring at the Site. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact David Fennimore at 610-524-9466 (collect calls are welcome). For additional information regarding Site matters, please contact any of the following people:

David Fennimore,
Project Coordinator
Earth Data Incorporated
924 Springdale Drive
Exton, PA 19341
610-524-9466

Tom Morris, Chairman
PRP Group Tech. Comm.
IBM Corporation
Route 100, Bldg. 2
MD 2393
Somers, NY 10589

Carrie Deitzel, Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region III
800-553-2509
215-814-5525

SITE BACKGROUND

A former solvent recycling facility operated from 1961 until 1998 on what is now the Galaxy/Spectron Superfund Site (Site). In 1989, a group of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs), consisting of former customers of the facility, formed to conduct investigation and clean-up activities at the Site. In 1989 and 1990, the Group and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) removed all of the wastes from drums and tanks at the Site, for off-site management. Since that time, the Group has been working with the EPA to conduct extensive studies to evaluate Site conditions and ultimately determine the best solution for addressing the Site. The Group designed an innovative solution, a stream-liner containment system, to isolate the creek water from seepage of site materials. This system consists of a series of French drains that collect the groundwater to send it to the on-site groundwater treatment system.