HDI Realty needed remediation of a retail site to remove contamination and confirm the safety of the site for future development. Project complexities involved identification of soil and groundwater contamination from multiple potential sources in a former industrial area. The approach to resolution of the remedial action required analysis of historical data from on- and off-site sources coupled with field sampling, laboratory analysis, mapping, modeling, and data evaluation.
Additional key project challenges involved identifying the potential sources for groundwater contamination at multiple depths and evaluating the impact of historic industrial production wells on groundwater flow. VHB solved these challenges by evaluating historical data from multiple sources, holding meetings with technical representatives at NJDEP, and determining the best possible options for presenting data and conclusion to present permit applications and resolve open remedial issues.
The cleanup of the project site resolved environmental liabilities and potential health risks to the local community. Soil contamination was removed from the site to prevent direct contact exposure and site redevelopment resulted in capping and engineering control. Groundwater contamination was also limited by the soil remedial action and request for a groundwater remedial action permit (RAP). The project resulted in development of a busy Home Depot location which provides local employment and key supplies in this urban environment.
