Broward Environmental Remediation

TimesSeptember/October 2003

Update on Arsenic Water and Soil Cleanup Target LevelsOn January 22, 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted a new Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)for arsenic in drinking water at 10 ppb, replacing the old standard of 50 ppb, set in 1942. The rule became effective onFebruary 22, 2002. Originally, this standard was defined as 0.01 milligrams per liter (mg/L), but earlier this year the EPAclarified the new standard as being 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb).

All public water systems in the U.S. must comply with the new standard by January 23, 2006. The EPA estimates thatapproximately 3,000 of the nation’s 54,000 community water systems will need to take measures to meet the revised MCLfor arsenic. Depending on the needs and resources of the communities, options for managing high levels of arsenic includewater treatment, blending high-arsenic source water with other low-arsenic source water, modifying well operations, andabandoning the impacted water source(s) altogether. The types of treatment systems available to remove highconcentrations of arsenic in the water at these facilities include coagulation and filtration, reverse osmosis, ion exchange,or the use of activated alumina or iron-based media that chemically extracts the arsenic from the water. However, the costof arsenic removal is significant, both in the initial capital investment and ongoing operations and maintenance. The sameholds true for smaller, temporary systems used to remediate arsenic-impacted groundwater.

The application of arsenic-based herbicides at golf courses has brought its fair share of problems to Florida, being the golfcapital of America. Responsible Parties, consultants, and regulatory authorities alike are struggling to find effectivemethods for remediating large volumes of arsenic-contaminated soil and groundwater at these (and similar) facilities. Infact, the problem will be further exasperated as the groundwater cleanup target level (GCTL) for arsenic in Florida willlikely be lowered from its current level of 50 ppb in the near future. Currently, Broward County relies on Risk-BasedCorrective Action (the use of institutional and engineered controls) to devise a more cost-feasible strategy for site closureat these sites.

On a brighter note, Florida’s Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) will consider a rule change (in Chapter 62-777, Florida Administrative Code) that will likely ease the minds of property owners who feel they have been unfairlyburdened with assessment and cleanup costs associated with low-level arsenic concentrations in soil on their properties.

See Arsenic Update, Continued on Page 2

Also in This Issue...

Don’t Forget To Abandon That Offsite Well Page 2

Checking Vane Wear in Becker Compressors Page 3

An Official Bimonthly Publication of Broward County’s Department of Planning and Environmental Protection

BROWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - An Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ServicesJosephus Eggelletion, Jr. Ben Graber Sue Gunzburger Kristin D. Jacobs Ilene Lieberman Lori Nance Parrish John E. Rodstrom, Jr. Jim Scott Diana Wasserman-Rubin

Visit us on the internet: www.broward.org/dpep

Arsenic, Continued

The rule change deals with revising soil cleanup standards based upon bioavailability, which describes the potential for achemical to be absorbed by the human body. The Contaminated Soils Forum, a stakeholder body advising the FloridaDepartment of Environmental Protection (FDEP), recommended a bioavailability factor of 25%, which would effectivelyrevise the Residential soil cleanup standard to 2.8 mg/kg (up from 0.8 mg/kg) and the Industrial/Commercial soil cleanupstandard to 16 mg/kg (up from 3.7mg/kg). The group made specific recommendations for numerical updates to thebioavailability assumption incorporated into the direct-contact SCTL for arsenic. However, we should all keep in mindthat these numbers are not final, as additional FDEP workshops may occur before the ERC adoption hearing is scheduled.One should also be aware that, should the groundwater standard be decreased, the associated leachability soil standardwill also likely decrease from its current number of 29 mg/kg. Stay posted to the Contaminated Soils Forum website foradditional workshop announcements and updates. Questions regarding this article can be directed to Robert Yambrick at(954) 519-0323 or David Vanlandingham, P.E., at (954) 519-1478.

Additional Links:EPA Drinking Water Webpage: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic.htmlContaminated Soils Forum Webpage: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/csf/default.htm

Don’t Forget ...To Abandon That Offsite Well!

Finally! Your site is clean and meets the requirements for No FurtherAction under the applicable cleanup criteria. Don’t forget, however, thatonce the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) or theBroward County Department of Planning and Environmental Protection(DPEP) approves your No Further Action (NFA) proposal, there is onelast task that must still be performed. Before the FDEP can issue a SiteRehabilitation Order for the site, all groundwater wells (excluding thoseused for compliance verification) must be properly abandoned. Theabandonment requirement includes wells that may have been installed inoffsite locations. The purpose of well abandonment prior to site closureis to ensure that well casings do not act as a conduit for contamination

related to future surface discharges to enter the subsurface. The proper way to abandon thesewells is to fill the casings from bottom to top with neat cement grout, as prescribed by Rule 62-532.500(4), Florida Administrative Code.

The site contractor should be aware of all of the installed locations of assessment and remediation wells used during eachphase of site activities. DPEP recommends that contractors review all historical activity in order to determine the locationand disposition of all installed wells. For petroleum-contaminated sites, all well-construction information should beavailable in FDEP’s electronic database website (OCULUS) or in the paper files at DPEP’s Fort Lauderdale office. Fornon-petroleum sites, the paper files will need to be reviewed at the lead agency (dependent upon the type of site): atDPEP, the FDEP Southeast District office, or at FDEP Headquarters in Tallahassee. Please also consult with theregulatory project manager of your site to verify that all appropriate wells are being abandoned during the site closurephase.

Questions? Contact Mr. Sean McFarlane, E.I., at (954) 519-1406.

Helpful Link:FDEP OCULUS Document Review website: http://199.73.242.64/

BROWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - An Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ServicesJosephus Eggelletion, Jr. Ben Graber Sue Gunzburger Kristin D. Jacobs Ilene Lieberman Lori Nance Parrish John E. Rodstrom, Jr. Jim Scott Diana Wasserman-Rubin

Visit us on the internet: www.broward.org/dpep

Checking Vane Wear in Becker Compressors

Becker® Pumps Corporation recommends checking the vane wear at 3,000-hour intervals based on "normal" installations."Normal" basically means that the compressor is protected from rain, high humidity, temperature extremes, dust, etc. Typically, however, remediation systems have Becker compressors located outside in the weather and subject to all typesof adverse operating conditions. Therefore, Becker recommends that a weather shield be installed above the compressorand that the vanes be checked on monthly (or 1000-hour) intervals. Moisture entering the compressor (even though an airintake filter is used) carries particulates into the vane/rotor chamber. Since the vanes are made of carbon, and are verybrittle, even small amounts of particulates will cause rapid vane wear. Checking vane wear will allow the consultant todetermine wear rate and estimate when vane replacement will be required. Each Becker model has a minimum vanethickness specification. If the vane is allowed to wear below minimum, then vane breakage will occur and entails a timeconsuming and costly repair. Checking the vanes is only a 15- to 30-minute procedure and requires simple hand tools.

Vane Inspection Procedure

First, shut off power to the compressor and close all process piping valves at the air sparge manifold. Release anypressure from the compressor. Pressurized air in the sparge points will try to return through the compressor. Lockout/Tag out the electrical power to the compressor motor. Allow the compressor to cool for a few minutes. Using a 5mmor 6mm hex key (depends on the compressor model), remove the plastic end housing of the compressor to expose thecompressor endplate.

Using a 10mm socket, removethe bolts holding the endplate tothe rotor chamber body (Seepicture, left). Now thread two ofthe 10mm bolts into the 2threaded holes in the endplate.Alternately tighten the two boltsto "pull" the endplate free fromthe rotor chamber (See picture,right). Now the vanes (4 or 5depending on model) areaccessible.

Make note of the vane’s bevelededge orientation. Remove eachvane and visually inspect forcracks and chips. Use a metricruler to measure the width ofeach vane and compare withfactory specifications (Seepicture, left). If the vanes arebelow the manufacturesminimum specs replace themwith new ones. Reusing wornout or damaged vanes couldresult in vane breakage (Seepicture, right).

See Checking Compressor Vanes, Continued, on Page 3

BROWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - An Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ServicesJosephus Eggelletion, Jr. Ben Graber Sue Gunzburger Kristin D. Jacobs Ilene Lieberman Lori Nance Parrish John E. Rodstrom, Jr. Jim Scott Diana Wasserman-Rubin

Visit us on the internet: www.broward.org/dpep

Checking Compressor Vanes, Continued

Before reassembling the compressor, inspect the rotor shaft bearing located in the end housing. Make sure that it isn'tscored, pitted, or contaminated with dirt. Also inspect the machined surfaces of the rotor chamber and end housing fordebris and rust. Minor rust can be removed with fine grit sandpaper (don't forget to clean out any residue). Reassemblethe compressor in the reverse order of disassembly.

Check that the vanes move freely in the slots in the rotor (See picture, below left). Any binding will prevent properoperation. Here's a hint: a wooden yard stick is the perfect size to "rod out" the vane slots. Another good idea is to putanti-seize lubricant on all bolt threads; that will make future disassembly much easier. Lubricate the front and rearbearings using the Becker grease gun and lubricant. Inspect and clean all the air intake filters. It is also a good idea tovisually check the electric motor to compressor coupling (the "lovejoy" coupling) for abnormal wear (See picture, belowright). Now the Becker can be put back into service.

Helpful Links:Becker Pumps Corporation: http://www.beckerpumps.com/

This article is part of a series written by Broward County’s Remediation System Inspector, Mr. Stirling Gosa. If you haveany questions, please feel free to email Mr. Gosa at sgosa@broward.org.

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Broward County DPEP/PPRDATTN: Lorenzo Fernandez, P.E.218 S.W. 1st AvenueFort Lauderdale, FL 33301Fax: (954) 765-4804You may also contact Mr. Fernandez via email at lfernandez@broward.org or by telephone at (954) 519-1249.

BROWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - An Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ServicesJosephus Eggelletion, Jr. Ben Graber Sue Gunzburger Kristin D. Jacobs Ilene Lieberman Lori Nance Parrish John E. Rodstrom, Jr. Jim Scott Diana Wasserman-Rubin

Visit us on the internet: www.broward.org/dpep