Environmental Testing To Begin Next Week At The Fairfield Fill Pile Site

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield will begin environmental testing at the fill pile site starting Monday, April 6, with work expected to continue through the third week of May, First Selectperson Christine Vitale announced Tuesday.

The town has hired the engineering firm Weston & Sampson to conduct the investigation at the site, which is ground zero of an environmental scandal years in the making. Geotechnical crews will test groundwater, examine sinkholes and drill into existing wells to evaluate potential environmental impacts.

Multiple people went to prison in connection with their actions related to the fill pile, where tons of contaminated material was illegally dumped.

Town officials said the testing follows a plan reviewed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is intended to guide future decisions about possible remediation.

Crews will use GeoProbe rigs, hollow stem auger drilling rigs and excavators while installing groundwater monitoring wells and collecting soil and water samples. The testing is intended to help determine the types of materials historically deposited in the fill pile.

An earlier assessment of the pile and nearby wetlands conducted by Weston & Sampson found no immediate environmental concerns, officials said. The current investigation is intended to provide additional data on potential impacts.

"This testing is a crucial step toward responsibly addressing the fill pile and determining the best methods for remediation," Vitale said in a statement. "Our priority is ensuring that the pile is managed in full accordance with state and federal environmental standards, in the best interests of the community, and protective of human health and the environment."

Residents living near the site may notice drilling equipment and work crews arriving and departing in trucks. Officials said drilling could generate some noise as borings extend as deep as 60 feet. Work is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and no material will be removed from the site.

Although not required under the testing plan, the town said dust monitoring will be conducted during any intrusive work that disturbs subsurface or surface materials. Monitors will be moved based on wind direction and weather conditions. If any impacts are detected, officials said mitigation measures would be coordinated with regulatory agencies.

Town officials said additional steps related to potential remediation will be announced after test results are reviewed with state and federal environmental regulators.

Below is a "Fill Pile FAQ" from town officials:

Q: What is the fill pile?
A: The “fill pile” refers to a large stockpile of soil and other debris at the Town’s public works yard adjacent to the Transfer Station on Richard White Way. The pile covers approximately four acres and contains approximately 109,000 cubic yards of soil.

The pile had been used by the Town for disposal of soil and related materials since the early 1970s. A contractor was hired by the Town to remove material in the pile. Instead, the contractor placed more material into the pile, some of which included hazardous substances. This illegal activity resulted in criminal charges against the contractor as well as some former Town employees. The responsible people were either incarcerated and/or were required to make restitution to the Town for the clean-up effort.

Q: What is happening now at the fill pile site?
A: After years of working with regulatory agencies and our engineering consultant, Weston & Sampson, we are moving forward with a plan to conduct more focused ecological sampling on the fill pile. An investigation is being performed with the oversight of state and federal environmental agencies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), to assess the materials historically deposited in the fill pile and to help inform decision-making on our remediation options. The testing will begin on April 6 and will continue for six to seven weeks, ending around the third week of May.

The ecological evaluation requires environmental scientists to perform sampling that will include geotechnical drilling and groundwater testing on and around the fill pile to better understand the presence and distribution of soil and materials in potential need of remediation. Sometimes the soil is referred to as “historically impacted materials,” recognizing that some of the material in the pile has been there since the 1970s. The investigation is very comprehensive and will move the Town towards design and implementation of a final resolution that will address the regulated materials in the pile.

A copy of the work plan can be found at
fairfieldct.gov/service/capitalprojects/fill_pile_remediation.php.

Q: What can we expect to see and hear?
A: You may notice drilling equipment and work crews on the site while the sampling is underway. There may be noise associated with drilling, but the drilling will be restricted to Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. A representative from Weston & Sampson will be present on-site each day that work is performed.

Q: Is there any cause for concern for the surrounding neighborhoods?
A: Previous testing conducted by Weston & Sampson, in compliance with an earlier plan also reviewed by CT DEEP and the EPA, did not identify any immediate hazards posed by the historic materials contained in the pile. CT DEEP and the EPA have now requested that the Town perform more focused ecological sampling.

All sampling procedures are designed to be protective of the surrounding communities as well as the workers at facilities directly adjacent to the fill pile, businesses and site workers.

All of the sampling procedures are common to environmental investigations and Weston & Sampson will use qualified, trained personnel to conduct the work.

Dust monitoring will be performed during any intrusive work (sampling that penetrates into the subsurface or disturbs surface materials). Monitoring of dust levels will allow for corrective measures to be performed if dust is generated. No materials will be removed from the site during this phase of the operations.

Q: Is there evidence of groundwater impact?
A: Groundwater results from prior sampling have been reviewed by federal and state regulatory agencies and no immediate actions to address potential risks to human health and the environment were required.

The current investigation will help identify corrective measures to groundwater impacts that may be performed in the future.

Q: Who is overseeing the investigation?
A: Weston & Sampson are the environmental consultants working for the Town. They will be responsible for implementing the investigation as described in the work plans that have been approved by the regulators. Results obtained from the investigation will be reported to the EPA and CT DEEP by Weston & Sampson and the Town will provide the results to the public.

Q: How long will this phase of work last?
A: Investigation activities will be performed over a period of approximately six weeks, from April 6 until the third week of May. The majority of the activities consisting of soil sampling and installation of groundwater monitoring wells should be completed during the first two weeks.

Q: What is the plan following testing?
A: After the investigation is complete, results will be reported to the EPA and CT DEEP. The next step is discussion of a remediation action plan and potential costs. Future activities may include 1) limited additional sampling to fill any data gaps, 2) discussions with regulatory agencies over the design of any necessary corrective measures, and 3) implementation of corrective measures.

Q: How will residents be kept informed?
A: Throughout the process, the Town is committed to keeping you informed. This list of FAQs will be updated on the Town website at fairfieldct.gov/service/capitalprojects/fill_pile_remediation.php along with any additional updates as work progresses. If you have additional questions, you can send an email to FillPile@FairfieldCT.gov. We also encourage you to sign up for email updates from First Selectperson Christine Vitale. You can sign up at FairfieldCt.gov. Scroll down the Home Page to see Town Newsletter Sign Up under Online Services.

While there are no expected hazards, our priority is ensuring that the pile is managed in full accordance with state and federal environmental standards, in the best interests of the community, and protective of human health and the environment.