Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Industrial Environmental Systems, Inc. in Saugerties, New York
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
The closure plan activities included the removal of all PCB-contaminated material from the storage tanks and removal all underground pipelines. Areas with contaminated soil were excavated and backfilled with clean material. A collection system was installed to collect water from the bedrock seep for treatment and disposal. A four-inch thick, weather-sealed macadam cover was installed in the area.
Following implementation of the RCRA closure plan, improving conditions were observed during the facility monitoring program. Samples collected during a 2004 investigation at the facility did not contain detectable levels of volatile organic compounds and only one detection of PCBs at a level comparable to the groundwater quality standard.
Site Description
Industrial Environmental System Inc. is located entirely within the property of the Northeast Solite Corporation in Old Kings Highway, Saugerties, New York. The Industrial Environmental System began operations in 1976. The facility stored and blended industrial waste solvents used as a fuel to the Northeast Solite Corporation rotary kilns in the production of lightweight aggregate.
Contaminants at this Facility
There were nine (9) above ground storage tanks (ASTs) identified as part of the operations to blend, isolate, and transfer hazardous waste derived fuel to the Northeast Solite rotary kilns. There were also three settling lagoons connected to each other by an overflow pipe. As a result, on-site shallow overburden soils and shallow groundwater were compromised. Seepage from a bedrock face was also observed. The contaminants of concern in soil and groundwater included Acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, trans-1,2-dichloroethene, xylene, toluene, benzene, ethylbenzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, tetrachloroethene, trichloroethene and polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
In 1981, the facility was notified of permit requirement for its operation involving hazardous waste storage and an Order on Consent was subsequently signed. As a result, the company temporarily ceased its hazardous waste storage operations and was required to conduct a subsurface investigation. In 1982, the facility knowingly burned solvent-oil fuels which were contaminated with PCBs which prompted NYSDEC to issue a Summary Abatement Order and commenced enforcement and permit revocation proceedings against the facility. In 1983, operations were ceased at the site and a certificate of closure was issued on July 6, 1988.