On this page:

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

Cleanup Status 

Prior to the selection of final corrective measures, Durez implemented a number of interim corrective measures to address the soil and groundwater contamination at the facility. These measures have included:

• Excavation and removal of a former lagoon;
• Improvements and replacements of the tank farms;
• Excavation and removal of contaminated soils in the area of former Tank Farm A;
• Elimination of a part of the on-site sewer system;
• Construction of an asphalt cap over all exposed ground surfaces at the facility;
• Installation of an overburden drain tile collection system; and,
• Installation of a bedrock groundwater collection system.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) determined that these interim corrective measures, in conjunction with the long-term operation of the bedrock and overburden groundwater remedial systems, have been successful in reducing the potential threat to human health and the environment and are capable of achieving the remedial goals. The corrective measures implementation program in Module III of the 6 NYCRR Part 373-2 permit (issued in September 1995 and renewed in March, 2001) is based upon continued operation of the interim groundwater remedial programs and serves as the final remedy for the facility.

Subsequent to the issuance of the permit, Durez has been performing hydraulic and chemical monitoring to demonstrate that the remedial goals are being achieved. The monitoring data are summarized in annual reports to NYSDEC. Based upon the information in those reports, NYSDEC has determined that the remedial program is meeting its design objectives.

Site Description

The Durez, Niagara Plant is a phenol-formaldehyde resin manufacturing plant, located in the City of Niagara Falls, New York, approximately two miles north of the Niagara River. The plant property consists of 4.6 acres, which are dedicated to manufacturing operations. The area surrounding the plant is industrial. To the north, the site is bordered by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (NIMO) transmission lines and its right-of-way, and Frontier Roadway Maintenance Corporation. To the east are Conrail railroad tracks and NIMO transmission lines. To the south, the site is bordered by Packard Road. CECOS International is located southeast of the site, across Packard Road. The International Bag Company (formerly Frontier Bronze Corporation) is located to the west. The closest residential area is approximately three-quarters of a mile to the west of the site.

The hazardous wastes managed at this facility are ignitable and/or toxic solvent washings from reactor vessels, spilled raw materials and small amounts of laboratory samples. EPA hazardous wastes numbers include: F003 and F005 (spent non-halogenated solvents), U122 (formaldehyde), U188 (phenol), and ignitable D001. These wastes are stored in an on-site container storage area and treated in a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulated hazardous waste on-site incinerator.

Contaminants at this Facility

Durez completed a RCRA facility investigation (RFI) and a corrective measures study (CMS) to identify the extent of releases of hazardous waste from the solid waste management units (SWMUs) and to evaluate remedial measures. As a result of the investigation, Durez has concluded that although hazardous wastes have been released to the fill, soil and groundwater, releases from the SWMUs are no longer significant sources of contamination. All SWMUs at the facility are being addressed through a site-wide corrective measures program.

Contamination dissolved in water or aqueous phase contamination has been observed in the soil and unconsolidated materials laying on top of the bedrock (the "overburden") at the facility and in the bedrock. The aqueous phase plume in the overburden appears to be primarily limited to the facility property. The extent of the aqueous phase bedrock plume is somewhat greater, but the concentration of the contaminants decreases substantially in the off-site areas. The vertical contamination is limited to the upper 65 feet of the bedrock.  

Site Responsibility at this Facility

A renewal 6NYCRR 373 Permit issued March 21, 2013 covers corrective action at this facility.