OFF-SITE HOT SPOTS GET THE PUMPING WELLS

Currently between Chemtura and the former south wellfield we have in order from north to south, the following pumping wells namely: W5A, W5B, W3 and W4. We have been advised over the years that these off-site pumping wells were located in the middle of "hot spots". W4 had very high levels of dissolved chlorobenzene including higher than the 1% solubility rule indicating nearby DNAPL. W3 had unusually high levels of NDMA which long made me suspect either Borg or Sanyo as possible sources. W5A and W5B allegedly were to intercept the high dissolved ammonia released from the Yara/Nutrite site.

Most importantly neither Chemtura nor the M.O.E. would do any appropriate testing (soil/groundwater) to confirm or deny the possibilty of sources other than Chemtura/Uniroyal especially at W3 which is a huge distance away from Chemtura. This past summer we were treated to some of the most repugnant, tag team, double coverage junk science we've seen in some time. The purpose by Chemtura and the M.O.E. was to deny Chemtura's own consultants (CRA) findings from 1998. They had found what appeared to be free phase DNAPL, 100 feet below ground, essentially beside W4 at well OW57-32R. Again based on proximity and historical useage etc. it seemed likely that either Borg Textiles (Howard Ave.) or Varnicolor Chemical (Union St.) were the culprits. As Chemtura is approximately a quarter mile away I thought that it seemed unlikely for free phase DNAPL containing Chlorobenzene to have flowed that far.

Not so quick! I had found a few years back a subsurface route directly from Varnicolor's Lot 91 directly to W3 (near MacDonald's). This route is based upon the propensity for DNAPL (dense non aqueous phase liquid) to flow on the surface of denser, more compacted soils such as clay and or less permeable surfaces. This flow is due to gravity and if you think of liquid mercury on an incline, you'll get the idea. I've been looking for some time and only recently have found a direct route from Chemtura/Uniroyal's west side ponds; down through the Upper Aquifer and into the Municipal Aquifer via "windows" in the Upper Aquitard (UAT). It then can gravity flow on the surface of the Municipal Aquitard after passing essentially vertically downwards through the Municipal Aquifer. The Municipal Aquitard (MAT) slopes slightly south-west (mostly west) under Union St. and the former Varnicolor property towards W4. At that point the MAT disappears thus introducing the DNAPL also to the Municipal Lower (ML) Aquifer.

The bottom line is the DNAPL is there and has been there for decades. The M.O.E. and Chemtura are lying about it. One of a myriad of reasons why could be the M.O.E.'s long time excuse that they can't force Chemtura to clean up stuff that hasn't left their site. Here we have DNAPL (chlorobenzene) a quarter mile away. The evidence is overwhelming that it exists and if the culprit isn't Borg or Varnicolor then it is Chemtura. The last piece of the puzzle has been found as far as how it could have gotten there from Chemtura. Chemtura and the M.O.E. both claim that Chemtura are the only source of chlorobenzene in the Elmira Aquifers. Fine. Then man up and remove it.