Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
(1980)
The Seymour Recycling Corporation operated a 5.6 ha (14 acre) site as a recycling
facility to process industrial waste chemicals approximately 3 km (2 miles) southwest
of the city of Seymour in Jackson County, Indiana. From 1970 to 1980, wastes were
collected in drums and bulk storage tanks. By 1980, there were approximately 100
storage tanks and about 50,000 drums on site. Many of the drums were in poor
condition and their contents had leaked while others had no lids. Widespread
contamination of the underlying soil and groundwater occurred and resulted in on-site
fires and unpleasant toxic odors being reported by neighboring residents.
As a result of a fire in 1980 chemical runoff from the site posed a threat that resulted
in approximately 300 people being temporarily evacuated. The facility was
subsequently closed. Over the next 4 years, the majority of tanks and drums were
removed by those identified as being potentially the responsible parties.
A range of remedial measures were implemented. An embankment was
constructed around the site to control surface runoff. Approximately 900,000 liters
(200,000 gallons) of flammable chemicals were incinerated. More than 450,000 liters
(100,000 gallons) of inert liquids were injected into a deep well. Other wastes and
containers including more than 23,000 cu m (30,000 cubic yards) of drums, sludge
and contaminated soil were placed in a hazardous waste landfill. Despite these
remedial measures, monitoring wells showed that a contaminated groundwater plume
extended more than 120 m (400 ft) off site by 1985. Tests indicated the presence of
heavy metals and numerous organic compounds and phenols within the soil and
groundwater. The site was placed on the National Priorities List as a result of being
designated the most serious environmental threat in Indiana. Extensive long term
remedial activities included on-site incineration of some contaminated soils, use of
bioremediation technology to assist in the cleanup, the installation of a vapor
extraction system to remove volatile organic compounds from the vadose zone and
the installation of a pump and treat system to stabilize the contaminated groundwater
plume and treat it at the Seymour waste water treatment plant.
Lessons Learned
The Seymour Recycling Facility site was one of the landmark environmental failures
that occurred in the 1970s and contributed to the passing of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act in 1980. As such, it
changed the attention given to facility permitting and compliance monitoring and the
assignment of responsibility for inappropriate disposal of hazardous wastes.
References
USEPA (1984).
Hazardous Waste Sites, Description of Sites on Current National
Priorities List, October 1984
, EPA/HW 8.5, USEPA, December.
