UPDATES
2002
Groundwater report: Information detailing Brookhaven National
Laboratory's groundwater cleanup program is now available in the annual
Groundwater Status Report. This report, available online at http://www.bnl.gov/erd/groundwater.html,
reviews the year's challenges, accomplishments, and the path forward regarding
clean up of groundwater contamination.
Closure:
Following review of a “Petition for Closure”, EPA and NYSDEC have approved
the closure of one of BNL’s earliest installed groundwater treatment systems.
The system, installed in 1997, operated on site for approximately four years.
Using air sparging and soil vapor extraction, it cleaned chemical contamination
in soil and groundwater. In July, 2003, the regulators agreed that this
system met its cleanup goal for groundwater in this area. Groundwater monitoring
will continue.
Groundwater
cleanup: Progress continues in the installation of the off-site
groundwater treatment systems south of the Laboratory. The building at the
airport is being constructed, groundwater pumping and recharge wells are being
installed, pipe installation is nearing completion, and road restoration is in
progress. Construction of a system located at the eastern portion of the
industrial park south of the expressway is almost complete and is expected to
begin operational testing early in 2004.
The U.S. Department of Energy and Brookhaven National Laboratory acknowledge and
appreciate the continued cooperation and patience of the East Yaphank community.
In addition, several local agencies and institutions have provided
assistance by allowing the Lab access to several key parcels of land to
facilitate the cleanup effort. These organizations include the Town of
Brookhaven, Dowling College, the Long Island Power Authority, Suffolk County,
and private property owners.
For more information, please see http://www.bnl.gov/erd/groundwater.html