CONTAMINATED SITES QUESTIONS FROM A COLLEAGUE

In my opinion my friend and colleague, Dr. Henry Regier is much too humble for his and the environments' good. Therefore while I have his written O.K. to include specific questions and paragraphs in this posting, he didn't comment on whether I could/should use his name. I'm assuming YES! Therefore the following questions and comments are from Henry and I will endeavour to answer them briefly.

In regards to municipal wellfields in Elmira, Cambridge and Breslau: "You might query how many of those, if any, have been remediated fully, or are even undergoing remediation currently? Further, how many are now included in the draft plan with respect to which GRCA has issued a call for fundable proposals to protect well-field areas, inter alia?

Response: None of those three have been remediated fully. Elmira and Breslau (Safety-Kleen) have pump and treat systems. The Forwell wellfield (K70 & K71) downgradient of Safety-Kleen have been offline since the early 90's despite the Region's assurances it was only a bacteria problem. Across the road from Cambridge's Middleton Wellfield there is also a pump and treat system in place. I expect that in theory at least these wellfields are covered by the GRCA's draft plan.

Query: "In a recent e-mail I wondered whether some contaminated areas in our Basin are beyond technical remediation, with current technologies. If so, should the relevant governmental authorities make a list of such lost causes public?"

Response: Yes and Yes. Certainly they are beyond remediation with pump and treat technology. Massive amounts of money and source removal could restore both Elmira and the Breslau wells (K70 & K71). I have grave concerns and doubts in regards to the Middleton Wellfield (see yesterday's post) because it involves Bedrock Aquifers and is much more technically difficult to remediate. Pump and treat won't even begin to remediate fractured bedrock aquifers.

Query: "Didn't Pat Potter and some activist colleagues, perhaps including Susan Bryant and yourself, create a list of badly contaminated locales in our Basin and publicize this list, with appropriate hoopla, about 20 years ago?"

Response: Yes although my recollection is that the idea and organization with assistance was done by Brenda Thompson of Groundwater Alert in Cambridge. The hoopla was limited due to media apparently having more important things to cover at the time.

Thanks Henry!