Abstract |
The O'Connor site covers a 9-acre area near the city of Augusta, Maine. The F. O'Connor Company began operating a salvage and electrical transformer recycling business at the site in the early 1950s. Because of previous oil spills the State investigated the site in 1976 and found the surface water, sediment, and soil contaminated with PCBs. As a result of the study the F. O'Connor Company constructed two surface water impoundments (lagoons) to control further migration of oils from the site. In 1977 the State ordered the F. O'Connor Company to discontinue use of the lagoons. Subsequently the lagoon waters were pumped into several onsite storage tanks and the sediment was excavated, deposited in a low area onsite, and covered with a clay cover. The sediment created a barrier for surface water and formed an upland marsh onsite. In May 1987 EPA and the State jointly issued an amended Administrative Order to F. O'Connor Company required field investigations and extensions of the existing fence to areas where additional contamination was found. The primary contaminants of concern affecting the soil, sediment, ground water, and surface water are VOCs including benzene, other organics including PCBs and PAHs, and metals including lead. |