CASE STUDY
Turnkey Remedial Action Plan for Joy Foods
Opportunity
The Joy Foods #426 facility is a former retail gasoline station located at 1351 W. North Boulevard in Leesburg, Florida. From 1969-1989, this facility operated four 4,000-gallon underground storage tanks (USTs) containing leaded gasoline and gasohol. The 1st generation USTs were removed in 1989 and replaced with 3 unleaded gasoline USTs including one 6,000-gallon and two 8,000-gallon USTs which were abandoned in place in 2009 by filling with cement grout.
Petroleum contamination was discovered at the site in 1987 when free product was observed in an onsite groundwater monitoring well. The petroleum release was reported to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and deemed eligible for state cleanup funds via the FDEP-sponsored Early Detection Incentive (EDI) Program. Preliminary contamination assessment activities conducted in the early 1990s were discontinued in 1994 due to a reorganization of the State cleanup program and the contamination remained in place from 1994 – 2018.
Challenge
The Joy Foods #426 facility is located at a busy intersection within an urban area. The facilities location and the cement-filled USTs presented certain logistical and safety challenges. As such, the FDEP required the services of experienced environmental professionals to ensure the site rehabilitation activities were performed in a manner that did not: 1) damage property or utilities; 2) spread contamination; 3) increase the risk to public safety or the environment; and/or 4) incur unnecessary expenses.
Montrose’s staff is comprised of experienced and dedicated engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, petroleum storage system contractors, general contractors, underground utility contractors, and construction personnel. The members of this team specialize in petroleum assessment & remediation, environmental construction, and petroleum storage tank removal and have demonstrated success on many similar projects during our tenure as a Tier 1 Agency Term Contractor for the FDEP. Our diverse in-house resources allow Montrose to provide turn-key site rehabilitation services and eliminate excessive subcontracting costs incurred by other Agency Term Contractors. As such, the FDEP engaged Montrose to remediate the Joy Foods #426 facility.
Montrose quickly deployed its contamination assessment team comprised of geologists, environmental scientists, and field technicians to delineate the extent of petroleum contamination using the FDEP’s Streamline Site Assessment Process. Results of the assessment revealed that most of the soil and groundwater impacts were located around the abandoned USTs and former gasoline dispenser islands. Montrose and the FDEP agreed that effective remediation of the contaminated soil and groundwater could not be achieved without first removing the abandoned USTs.
Solution
Using the soil and groundwater data generated by the Montrose assessment team, Montrose engineers formulated a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) outlining the process for removing the cement-filled USTs and contaminated soil. In addition, the RAP included the design and installation of a groundwater treatment system to be installed by Montrose immediately following the source removal activities.
Before mobilizing to the site, the Montrose construction team had to address safety and logistical concerns associated with conducting large-scale remedial operations at an urban site located near a busy intersection. In accordance with Montrose’s Health and Safety Protocols, additional efforts were made to protect private property and ensure public health and safety. Montrose coordinated with utility providers to locate all underground utilities onsite and within the adjoining right-of-ways. A Sidewalk Closure Permit was obtained to prevent pedestrian traffic along the adjoining right-of-way and a 6 ft chain-link fence was installed around the perimeter of the work area to further prevent access by the public. A Maintenance-of-Traffic plan was implemented to ensure safe passage of vehicles and equipment entering and leaving the site.
In January 2020, Montrose executed the Remedial Action Plan using the full resources of its in-house construction division. Montrose deployed heavy equipment and trained equipment operators to remove the abandoned USTs and 750 tons of petroleum contaminated soil. Specialized equipment including a 20-ton excavator equipped with pneumatic hammer was required to break up the cement grout inside the USTs. Montrose utilized a 30-ton excavator to remove the cement grout, USTs, and contaminated soil from the excavation, as well as an articulating wheel loader to place the contaminated media into dump trucks for offsite transport and disposal.
Upon completion of the source removal, Montrose restored the site to its original condition. Clean backfill was placed in the excavation and compacted to grade. Compaction testing was performed in one foot lifts to ensure adequate compaction prior to replacement of the concrete paving.
Since completion of the source removal phase, Montrose has installed the groundwater remediation system and will operate and maintain the system until the site conditions meet the FDEPs groundwater cleanup criteria. Based on the estimated contaminant mass remaining in the groundwater, Montrose anticipates the treatment system will accomplish the cleanup objectives by 2022.
The collaborative efforts between the assessment, engineering, and construction divisions allowed Montrose to provide turn-key site rehabilitation services, eliminate excessive subcontracting costs, and expedite the site cleanup. Upon successful completion of the project, Montrose intends to deliver a clean property, remove the stigma of 30 years of contamination, and restore the property value.
