UNIROYAL'S OWN CONSULTANTS INDICATED THEIR OFF-SITE CONTAMINATION IN 1983

Reference has occasionally been made over the years about Uniroyal contaminants being found in the Municipal (drinking water ) Aquifer both on and off-site prior to the north and south wellfields being shut down in 1989 and 1990. This of course somewhat diminishes Uniroyal/M.O.E. claims of shock and surprise as to how could this have happened without us seeing it coming. In fact one example is a study done by Conestoga Rovers in 1983. They examined both the Bolender Landfill as well as the First St. Landfill in Elmira.

Keep in mind that Conestoga Rovers (CRA) have since become the preeminent consulting company for Uniroyal/Chemtura. In their 1983 report on the First St. Landfill they found chemicals in the Municipal Upper Aquifer which they attributed to Uniroyal Chemical. The shallow aquifer concentrations of chemicals were negligible.

Well CRA3 is located upgradient of the First St. Landfill and downgradient in the Municipal Upper Aquifer from Uniroyal Chemical. CRA stated in 1983 that CRA3 "is being impacted by a source other than the landfill site" and furthermore that "this groundwater quality degradation does not appear to be the result of the First St. Landfill Site.".

These results found by CRA in 1983 were duplicated in 1989/90 when they tested specifically for NDMA. The upgradient wells around the First St. Landfill showed high NDMA concentrations in the Municipal Aquifer but not in the shallow aquifer. This also included well TW5-65 along with CRA3.

The evidence of the spread of Uniroyal's chemicals off-site in the drinking water aquifers was available ahead of time. What exactly was the strategy of our authorities both provincial and local at the time? Did they put their heads together and decide to do nothing until the crisis was upon them?