On this page:

• Cleanup Status
• Site Description
• Contaminants at this Facility
• Site Responsibility

Cleanup Status                         

As required by State and Federal environmental regulations, Amphenol has investigated releases from the surface impoundment area. Based upon the investigations, it was determined that hazardous waste constituents had been released to the soil and groundwater beneath the area, resulting in contamination of both media at levels exceeding State standards.

During lagoon closure, contaminated soils were excavated, remediated on-site by aeration to a level determined to be safe for continued groundwater protection, replaced to the former lagoon site, and covered with an approved cap.

To address the groundwater contamination, Amphenol implemented a groundwater pump and treat program in January of 1986. The system consisted of two recovery wells and a stripping tower. It was designed and operated to flush contaminants from the groundwater, while creating a hydraulic divide between the contaminated groundwater plume and the Village water supply wells.

Groundwater withdrawal continued through May 1995 at which time maximum contaminant concentrations had been reduced from approximately 3,000 parts per billion to approximately 20 parts per billion. At their current concentrations, the volatile organic contaminants are not expected to pose a risk to the residential wells. Routine monitoring continues, as required by the facility's Post-Closure Permit. At the present time, the corrective measures program is in standby mode. In the event that increasing concentrations are observed, the system can be quickly restarted.

Site Description

Amphenol Corporation is primarily a manufacturer of electrical components and connectors for the aircraft and aerospace industries. Hazardous wastes are generated through electroplating, vapor degreasing and parts-cleaning operations.

Hazardous waste generated from the manufacturing facility was pumped via an underground pipeline to an off-site surface impoundment area located on a leased parcel of village property approximately 5/8 of a mile from the manufacturing facility. This impoundment was used for the treatment and temporary storage of the hazardous waste.

The impoundment area is bordered by active farmland to the west, the village wastewater treatment plant to the south, a town park to the east and the Susquehanna River to the north. The town has recently built paved walking/bike paths that pass around the south and west sides of the facility. The Village of Sidney operates two water supply wells located approximately 700 feet southeast of the impoundments and approximately 900 feet east of the impoundments.

The area of concern at this facility is the location of two former surface impoundments (lagoons) that were used as part of Amphenol's system to treat electroplating wastewaters. Accumulated sludges were periodically removed from the impoundments and dewatered in an array of sludge-drying houses that were located along the edges of the two surface impoundments. After dewatering, the sludges were disposed of off-site.

During 1986 the sludge-drying houses were demolished and removed to a permitted landfill and the impoundments were closed. All hazardous wastes generated at the facility since the mid-1980s have been stored in containers and tanks for less than 90 days, prior to shipment off-site, so the facility no longer requires a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) operating permit.

Contaminants at this Facility

Prior to closure, extensive sampling of soils underlying the impoundment area showed them to be contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Groundwater sampling in the early 1980s determined that the underlying groundwater was contaminated by VOCs, principally trichloroethylene (TCE) and trichloroethane (TCA). Studies conducted by Amphenol in the mid-1980s documented the extent and significance of the groundwater plume and demonstrated that a portion of the groundwater plume may be within the reach of the village's water supply wells.

Site Responsibility at this Facility

NYCRR Part 373 Post-Closure Permit issued on February 15, 1991. The Post-Closure Permit is presently requiring post-remedial groundwater data to support monitoring program changes that will be reflected at Permit renewal.