Connecticut Brownfield Sites

What are ‘Brownfield Sites’?

Brownfields are “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant…" – CT DEP

1990’s- Fed. And State Government decided to take action on land that was sitting unused because of the potential hazards that they contained.

Unknown liabilities were preventing communities from restoring these sites.

Jan. 11, 2002- Federal Law expands assistance for brownfields assessment, cleanup, revitalization , and job training.

This opens the door to allow real change to take place in these areas.

What are ‘Brownfield Sites’?

Piece of land that was once used for industrial purposes and is now typically abandoned because of suspected contamination.

What is a Brownfield Site?

• Can you name one Brownfield site in Newington?

• What has this property been used for that led to it being identified as a Brownfield (contaminated) site?

What is a contaminant? A contaminant is a toxic chemical that

can harm humans and/or the environment.

Contaminants can pollute water, air, and/or soil.

Mercury BenzeneArsenic

Contaminants of Major Concern

Asbestos - Causes respiratory problems

Benzene - Causes cancer

Lead and Copper – Neurotoxins which cause nervous system problems

Mercury – Causes neurological problems. Greatly affects fish populations.

Why Redevelop Brownfield Sites?

Discounted real estate cost Valuable location Reduce pressure on undeveloped land Preserve historical or architecturally significant buildings

Eliminate health and safety hazards

Improve community

Detecting Soil and Groundwater Contamination

Usually a portable drilling rig is brought to the site

A well is installed. Soil is sampled as the well is drilled.

Groundwater is sampled and analyzed for the suspected pollutants.

How to make a Brownfield site usable again…

Get rid of contaminants ◦ Excavation techniques◦ Removing tainted soil◦ Testing groundwater

Stop the contaminants from spreading

Refurbish or rebuild on the newly cleaned site

Inventory of Site - what’s there and how much?

Assessment - Can reclamation occur? Funding - Federal and/or Private

◦ Amount required for each stage of redevelopment Remedial Design and Construction

◦ Apply appropriate technology to clean or contain pollution◦ 13 approved clean-up technologies ◦ Each site clean-up is specific to the pollutants and

geology of that site Package site for sale or development

Considerations of Brownfield Remediation

Develop understanding of:◦Type of pollutants◦Horizontal & vertical extent of pollution

Impact on the environment:◦Are streams, lakes, rivers polluted?◦Is the underground water table polluted?◦Is the pollution localized or widespread?◦Are plants/animals affected?

Assessment

Brownfields and You!

Brownfields and You!

Possible ContaminantsContaminant

Possible source of contamination

Heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium chromium, lead, mercury

metal finishing/plating shops, manufacturing and foundries, coal burning power plants and landfills

Gasoline/constituents of gasoline:  gasoline, benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene

gasoline stations, tank farms, pipelines

Solvents:  tetrachloroethlyene, trichloroethylene,  III-trichloroethane

dry cleaners, machine shops, metal finishing/plating shops

Petroleum products                                   

leaking underground storage tank              

methane gas                                  

decomposing waste materials found in landfills           

PAH (polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons)

PAHs are a group of over 100 different chemicals formed during the incomplete burning of many things including coal, oil, garbage, and cigarettes.

Methane gas decomposing waste materials present in landfills.

explosive chemicals that are designed and produced for use as an explosive (e.g., TNT, explosive bolts, bullets, blasting caps, and fireworks).

Explosives manufacturing company

Case Study: Waterbury, CT Development – Brass Mill Center

Mall

The long defunct, brass manufacturing center, once comprised of more than 90 decaying buildings

Processed brass until alternate/cheaper alternatives available

100-acre downtown site, was prepared for a rebirth.

Case Study: Waterbury, CT Development – Brass Mill Center Mall

Removal of asbestos, lead paint, metals, solvents, oil, machinery, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) contaminated materials.

Over 200,000 cubic yards of debris was removed or recycled

Soil vapor extraction and on-site treatment were used to treat the 155,000 tons of tainted soil.

Case Study: Waterbury, CT Development – Brass Mill Center Mall

The entire demolition and remediation was completed well ahead of schedule and under budget

construction of the 1,300,000 square foot Brass Mill Center was then completed