ABSTRACT
In 1980, volatile organic compounds (VOC) were found at trace concentrations in the well water supply of the City of New Brighton, Minnesota. A consultant under contract to the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) examined local industrial operations and listed potential sources of VOC in the drinking water. During the investigation, the consultant found an area of soil impacted by organic solvents. The affected area was approximately 150 feet northwest of the building formerly used for painting operations The Interim Response Action involved removal of solvent-impacted soils, treatment of the soils by heating in an adjacent batch asphalt plant, and replacement of treated soils in the original excavation. Prior to excavation the site was dewatered to allow excavation of unsaturated soils to a depth of 12 feet below grade. A series of groundwater extraction wells were used to effect site dewatering. As excavation progressed, the zone of highly impacted soils was identified both visually and with the photoionization analyzer.
