Client: Real Estate Developer
Project: Industrial Waste Landfill Closure and Air Quality Monitoring Services
Location: New Jersey
Description: A large real estate developer planned to redevelop a former three-acre industrial waste landfill. EWMA was retained to implement a cleanup plan for the landfill that would meet the necessary New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) requirements for closure. As part of the redevelopment project, the landfill needed to be excavated, re-shaped and capped in order to create a storm water retention basin. Prior to EWMA’s involvement in the project, both local and State officials were concerned with the potential for hazardous releases associated with the re-shaping of the landfill. The project would not proceed unless substantial efforts were made to show that the development would not harm the environment or surrounding community.
To mitigate their concerns, EWMA performed the following activities as part of the landfill closure project::
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EWMA implemented a comprehensive remedial investigation to confirm that the landfill did not contain toxic chemical hazardous substances or hazardous substance containers that could lead to future releases. To investigate the constituents of the former landfill, soil borings were installed and the fill material was characterized. After completion of the investigation activities, EWMA prepared a comprehensive closure plan and submitted it to the NJDEP.
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EWMA prepared a detailed Health and Safety Plan (HASP) to address physical, biological and chemical hazards that might be encountered during the landfill re-shaping work. As part of this process, EWMA provided briefings and instructions regarding potential hazards, safety precautions, procedures, and monitoring equipment.
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EWMA provided air quality monitoring services during the excavation process and continuously evaluated the work area for the presence of dangerous levels of hydrogen sulfide gas. Additionally, EWMA coordinated the use of an enzymatic odor suppression spray to control unpleasant odors during the excavation process.
Based upon EWMA’s findings during the investigation, the NJDEP approved a landfill closure plan that did not require remediation of toxic chemical contamination, which saved the developer considerable remediation costs. Additionally, by providing the necessary level of health and safety and on-site consulting services to protect the construction workers and surrounding community, EWMA was instrumental in securing local and State approvals that allowed the project to proceed.