New Spring Collection System at Conard's Branch
Additional Investigation under the Neal's Landfill Groundwater Investigation Plan
November 13, 2002
Since the installation of the collection system for the South Springs at Neal's Landfill was
completed, a network of new springs have opened up within the stream banks at the
headwaters of Conard's Branch. As discussed in our Project Managers meeting on October 23,
2002, Viacom is planning to install a temporary system which will collect and treat the waters
coming from these new springs. The basic design features of the system are depicted on the
attached four drawings.
The waters will be collected using a set of collection pipes to be placed in Conard's Branch in an
existing pool just downstream of the culvert which passes under the gravel road near the spring
treatment facility. The pipes will lead to a collection pump vault where four pumps with a
combined capacity of approximately 150 gpm will be located. The discharge from them pumps
will be routed to the inlet clarifier basin of the spring treatment facility.
The system will be operated continuously during periods when there is excess treatment
capacity in the spring treatment facility. During extended periods of high flow when the
treatment facility is at capacity, the system will be shut down.
Viacom is undertaking this project in the context of the on-going settlement discussions among
the Consent Decree parties. We will be evaluating the system to determine its effectiveness at
capturing water from the new springs. If this project is successful in reducing PCB levels, then
Viacom may propose that this project be incorporated into any final settlement negotiated by the
parties. If the project proves to be unsuccessful or if the costs exceed the benefit, then Viacom
will terminate the project.
Viacom's decision to undertake this project as part of the settlement process should in no way
be construed as an admission by Viacom that it has any further obligation to collect or treat
water at Neal's Landfill other than as it is already doing in conformance with the Consent
Decree, or that any further remediation activities are necessary or required with respect to water
collection or treatment at Neal's Landfill.
We are making plans to install the system this fall. Construction activity to build the concrete
weir in Conard's Branch is scheduled for next week. If you have any comments or questions
about this effort, please let me know as soon as possible.
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